ABDUCTED BUSINESSMAN RESCUED IN CABANATUAN; EX-COP COUSIN AMONG 3 SUSPECTS ARRESTED

BY KEVIN GALANG

AUTHORITIES rescued a 59-year-old businessman who was kidnapped in Cabanatian, Nueva Ecija  on Monday and arrested three suspects, including the victim’s ex-policeman cousin, in less than 10 hours.

According to Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr., the victim was forcibly taken from his warehouse in Bgy. Kapitan Pepe, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija at 7:52 a.m. on Monday.

The suspects also took the victim’s red pick-up truck.

Shortly after the abduction, the suspects allegedly contacted the victim’s family demanding a P5 million ransom in exchange for his safe release.

While fleeing toward Bgy. Bakod Bayan, the suspects got involved in a hit-and-run incident that left two civilians injured.

Village residents reportedly hurled stones at the fleeing vehicle, prompting the suspects to abandon the pick-up truck after it sustained a flat tire.

The injured civilians were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

Upon receiving the report, tracker teams and operating units from the Cabanatuan City police, Nueva Ecija Provincial Intelligence Unit, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, Regional Special Operations Group 3 (RSOG 3), and the San Miguel police in Bulacan, launched a pursuit operation.

A coordinated police operation located the victim in Bgy. Bakod Bayan, also in Cabanatuan City, the same day.

The businessman’s stolen vehicle was recovered in another area in the same barangay

Using tracking data from the victim’s stolen cellphone, operatives were able to trace the suspect’s localion and arrested  a 49-year-old AWOL police officer, who was later  identified as the cousin and the alleged mastermind of the kidnapping.

The former police officer was nabbed in Bgy. San Juan, San Miguel, Bulacan, at around 5:52 p.m. of the same day.

 The suspect was intercepted while attempting to sell the stolen cellphone.

Subsequent follow-up operations resulted in the arrest of the two other suspects —  a 34-year-old man from Bgy. Barrera, Cabanatuan City, and a 27-year-old man from Palayan City, Nueva Ecija. 

The two suspects were apprehended in their respective barangays.

Peñones lauded the swift action and coordination of the police units involved under the supervision of Nueva Ecija police director Col. Heryl Bruno highlighting the crucial role of intelligence sharing and rapid response.

“This successful rescue and the swift arrest of all suspects underscore the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and sustained pursuit. Our personnel acted decisively to ensure the victim’s safety while upholding the rule of law,” Peñones said.

The official added that the operation supports the Philippine National Police’s Focused Agenda under acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., reaffirming PRO3’s commitment to public safety, rapid response, and the protection of lives and property.

The arresred suspects are in the custody of the police facing charges for kidnapping for ransom, carnapping, and frustrated homicide.

Meanwhile, the victim’s cousin admitted  to police that the victim’s alleged refusal to lend him money for his sick wife triggered the abduction.

 W