Man nabbed for extortion

CEBU, Philippines — One man was arrested for robbery and extortion by the Anti-Kidnapping Group in Central Visayas last Saturday in Tagum City, Davao Del Norte for allegedly claiming to have kidnapped a missing girl from Cebu and demanded money for her release.

The suspect was identified as Jade Sabroso, from Maco, Compostela Valley Province.

Police Executive Master Sgt. Zosimo Ravanes, Jr. of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG-7) Visayas Field Units said the girl has gone missing for four days already.

“Ang katong pamilya sa iyang gi-alleged nga biktima through sa Messenger nga chat nga anaa niya sa iyang kustodiya ang katong na missing na bata.  Na di niya i-release ug dili makabayad ug kwarta nga P50,000 ang amahan,” Ravanes said.

The victim’s family has reported the incident to the authorities last Thursday saying that their daughter allegedly asked permission to travel to Lapu-Lapu City last Monday night.

After that night, the parents said that they were not able to contact their daughter since Tuesday morning,

“Hangtod sa Miyerkules pagkasunod na adlaw dili na gyud nila ma-contact.  Dili na mo-(reply) sa text, dili na mo-ring ang cellphone.  Maoy hinungdan nga na alarma sila,” Ravanes added.

The missing girl’s parents decided to post their child’s situation on social media as their way of seeking help to trace their child.

However, the post became the outlet of the suspect to execute his plans.

“Gipahimuslan niya ang higayon nakita niya sa Facebook kung kinsa ang amahan, gani naabot sya sa kung kinsa ang mga friends aning nawala,” Ravanes said.

After that, the missing girl’s father reportedly received a message claiming that they have the child and demanded P50,000 in return for her safety.

The family decided to report the incident to the Sogod Police Station out of fear.

The police station then forwarded the case to the anti-kidnapping team at the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7.

In coordination with the Tagum Police personnel, the PRO-7 enforcers were able to trace the money that the family has first sent to the account provided by the suspect as the first batch for the ransom he had demanded.

When the authorities conducted deeper investigation and started to back track the missing girl’s location, they have found her in Talisay City.

“Na-recover nato, medyo luya na siya. Gidala nato sya diri sa opisina, nagka reunite sila.  Na-interview nato ning maong bata na walay nag-kidnap niya…Wala sya kabalo nga naay nangayo ug ransom money para sa iya,” Ravanes revealed.

When the suspect continued to demand for ransom, even when they have already found the missing girl, they have conducted the entrapment operation.

“Tungod sa kahadlok sa amahan, nagpadala siyag kwarta iyang gi-money transfer, so na-trace nato asa gikuha ang kwarta ug sa ikaduha niyang demand,  didto na nato sya na-entrap didto sa Tagum didto sa Davao,”  Ravanes said.

In an interview with reporters, the suspect admitted to have taken advantage of the situation of the alleged kidnapping in order to make money and that he is ready to face the charge filed against him. (FREEMAN)