Indian rescued
LESS than 72-hours after an Indian national was reportedly abducted in Davao City, authorities have rescued the victim and arrested four suspects yesterday. Freed from his captors is Malih Jaspar Singh, 31, and a resident of Wellspring Village in Catalunan Pequeño who was reportedly kidnapped at around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Arrested, meanwhile, were an Indian national Jerry Singh, one Josephine Onas, and siblings Noel and Bobby Onin. Davao City Police Office
(DCPO) spokesperson Senior Inspector Milgrace Driz told reporters that they rescued Malih after they sensed that his captors would free him as no ransom negotiations and payoff ensued.
“Nagdemand ang mga kidnappers ug P30-million ransom human ninaog ug P200,000 hangtod sa walay payoff nga nahitabo, (The kidnappers demanded a P30-million ransom then it went down to P200,000 until there was no payoff.)” Driz said.
Authorities got word that the victim will be transported from Brgy. Datu Salumay in Marilog to the city proper. Task Force Davao (TFD) then conducted a checkpoint at Brgy. Lacson in Calinan where they intercepted the victim, who was onboard a Rural Transit Bus with plate number KVV631.
The arrest of the suspects followed as police were already hot on their trails. But while four suspects have been arrested, police are still hunting down six other believed to be involved in the kidnapping.
Malih told reporters that he had no idea why he was kidnapped since he didn’t have much money while he also recalled having no grudges with anyone.
The suspects and the victim were presented before Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte at the Grand Men Seng Hotel yesterday. Duterte commended the DCPO for foiling another kidnapping incident citing that victims have been rescued in Davao City before while suspects either wounded up in jail or killed. “I am warning you. Do not do it. Especially children. Delikado kayong lahat sa akin. Di na ako maghihintay ng human rights o mga imbestigasyon. Ang ganda ng buhay sa Davao City bakit niyo guguluhin?” the mayor warned kidnappers.
Duterte also encouraged Indian-nationals who are into money lending business, whom he described as “walking banks”, to be careful since they are very vulnerable to such incidents. Police are now preparing the charges to be filed against the suspects before the City Prosecution Office. Duterte assured that the suspects will not be able to get out of jail since kidnapping is a non-bailable offense. The mayor also mentioned in passing his stand on the restoration of the death penalty saying, “If I had my way I will restore death penalty by hanging para hindi na gagastos ng electricity, itali na lang sa pisi.”