Kidnapped trader, driver found dead

MANILA, Philippines — A businessman and his driver who were kidnapped on March 29 were found dead in Rodriguez, Rizal yesterday, reportedly despite the payment of ransom.

Anson Que, owner of Elison Steel in Valenzuela, and his driver whose name was not immediately available were found in Barangay Macabud. Their bodies were placed in a nylon bag and their faces wrapped in duct tape.

The Philippine National Police was mum on the issue until late last night. But reliable sources said newly promoted Brig. Gen. Elmer Ragay was sacked as head of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group and replaced with Col. David Poklay, deputy chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Calabarzon police director Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas declined to disclose more details.

Que and his driver were kidnapped in Bulacan. Last Tuesday, the businessman’s Lexus LM350 multi-purpose vehicle was found abandoned in Barangay Bahay Toro in Quezon City.

Residents told police that the Lexus was left by two men wearing hoodies at around 4 p.m. on March 29.

The victim’s family told police they received a message from the kidnappers demanding millions of dollars in ransom.

This week, the Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. issued a statement expressing concern over the kidnapping.

Que was kidnapped over a month after a 14-year-old Chinese student was snatched on Feb. 20 as the boy was leaving the British School Manila in Taguig. The boy’s driver was killed.

The kidnappers mutilated one of the fingers of the boy before abandoning him along Macapagal Boulevard in Parañaque on Feb. 26.