Kidnapped businessman freed after paying ransom

A Malabon businessman who was abducted by gunmen in Malabon City was freed in Bulacan after a six-day ordeal, authorities reported yesterday.

Superintendent Wilfredo Ramos, city police chief, confirmed the report that Carlos Co, 56, of Barangay Santulan, has safely returned to his family.

Ramos said he got a phone call from Jess Manalastas, Barangay Santulan chairman, reporting the incident.

Co was freed somewhere in Santa Maria, Bulanca, and later fetched by operatives of the Philippine National Police’s crack Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER).

Local police officer SPO1 Ernesto Ramos found Co while on patrol. Ramos said Co was handcuffed and his eyes covered with masking tape.

When sought for confirmation early yesterday, Malabon police officials initially said they too got word of the kidnapping but told the STAR they have not received any communication from the victim nor from his family.

Early on, they said the family refused to cooperate with the police on the incident, afraid that the kidnappers might harm Co.

Co was waylaid by five gunmen while driving home in his jeep at around 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 4 in Barangay Santulan after a day at the cockpit. Witnesses told police investigators that Co was dragged out of his vehicle at gunpoint and shoved into a van.

Unconfirmed reports said Co’s wife received a call a few hours later from the suspects demanding an undetermined amount in ransom. Sources in the police said the family paid at least P1 million.

Police sources disclosed the abduction was the third attempt on Co. — With Dino Balabo