Manila: The Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) has successfully recovered a South Korean businessman and rescued an Indian medical student in separate operations conducted in Pasay and Las Pi±as cities on September 8 and 5, respectively.
According to Philippines News Agency, five Indian nationals were arrested in connection with the abduction of the medical student, while police are actively searching for at least seven suspects involved in the kidnapping of the South Korean businessman. During a media briefing at Camp Crame, AKG Director Brig. Gen. Edwin Balles detailed the circumstances surrounding the abductions and subsequent rescue operations.
The 41-year-old South Korean was abducted on a Tuesday while traveling along Roxas Boulevard near Vicente Sotto Street in Pasay. The investigation revealed that a silver sport utility vehicle approached the victim, and at least seven men allegedly forced him into the vehicle. The kidnappers then contacted a friend of the victim, demanding PHP30 million for his release. The victim's family managed to transfer about PHP550,000 to the kidnappers' bank account, leading to his release in Kawit, Cavite. The victim later returned to Pasay City, where authorities found him. Brig. Gen. Balles mentioned that the foreigner heard one of the abductors introduce himself as a police officer, but this claim is still under investigation.
In the operation on September 5, police rescued a 24-year-old Indian medical student along Alabang-Zapote Road in Las Pi±as City. Five other Indian nationals, aged 24 to 26 and reportedly the victim's schoolmates, were arrested while allegedly attempting to retrieve deposited ransom money. The student had been abducted from his apartment in Las Pi±as on September 3, and his brother reported him missing after receiving a ransom demand of PHP250,000. The victim's family initially transferred 80,000 Indian rupees, approximately PHP52,500, to the suspects' bank accounts, followed by another PHP150,000 at an automated teller machine along Alabang-Zapote Road. Brig. Gen. Balles stated that the motivation behind the Indian student's abduction appeared to be his refusal to allow the suspects to use his crypto e-wallet account. The arrested suspects are currently in police custody and have undergone inquest proceedings for kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
