The Philippine police Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) held a joint press conference in Pasay City, Manila, to report on the progress of a major kidnapping case involving Chinese and Korean citizens.
The incident occurred on May 2, when three foreigners (two Chinese and one Korean) were kidnapped while on their way to go fishing in Nasubu Town, Batangas Province.
The kidnappers, disguised as law enforcement officers, set up a checkpoint near the Kaybiang Tunnel and forcibly took the three individuals under the guise of police authority.
On May 26, a suspect named Jomar Pelayo Ubarde surrendered to the NBI and implicated two accomplices: "Master" (John Nelson Ladrera) and "Eric," who are still at large.
He confessed to being responsible for monitoring and coordination, and assisting in setting up the trap. Another suspect, Danilo "Danny" Abilong, an employee of the victims, also confessed to cooperating with the kidnapping gang, installing GPS trackers to monitor his employers' movements, and coordinating with the fake police gang for the ambush.
The evidence held by the police and the NBI, including sworn statements, communication records, and photographic materials, is sufficient to charge the aforementioned individuals with kidnapping for ransom under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code. The case has been transferred to the Department of Justice for prosecution, and Abilong has been charged, while the other two main suspects are still being pursued.
Although the official did not confirm the background of the kidnappers, their disguise as police and precise ambush tactics have raised suspicions. Analysts believe that the involved personnel may be related to retired military and police. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea previously disclosed that at least seven to eight people were involved in the kidnapping, and only four identities have been confirmed so far, with several kidnappers still unaccounted for. The case highlights the security risks faced by foreigners in the Philippines and also exposes the reality of local people colluding with external forces to kidnap foreigners.
