2 Tsinoy girls ‘rescued’ from kidnappers

MANILA, Philippines - Two Filipino-Chinese girls, snatched on their way to school in Quezon City Friday morning, were reported to have been rescued from their kidnappers yesterday.

Quezon City Police District director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano said the girls appeared to be in good condition but they were still being examined for injuries.

The PNP’s Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) “rescued” the two girls at past 2 a.m. The rescue was done without any ransom paid, Albano said. He did not provide other details.

However, another police official said the children were released at a fastfood restaurant at the corner of Taft and Quirino Avenues in Manila at past 2 a.m., without any ransom paid. The official requested anonymity.

During yesterday’s press conference, Albano said the AKG was conducting follow-up operations to arrest the kidnappers.

The two girls, aged 11 and 15, were snatched along Regalado Avenue on their way to school at around 5:30 a.m. Friday by armed men.

The kidnappers were in a Mitsubishi Montero Sport with license plates ZAM-847. The SUV sideswiped the Mitsubishi Adventure carrying the two children.

This prompted the girls’ driver to get out of the vehicle to check the car for damage. One of the kidnappers then pointed a gun at him. Three of the kidnappers then boarded the girls’ vehicle, driving off with the children.

Albano said the plate number belonged to another vehicle.

The girls’ family received a call from the kidnappers. While there is no official report on the ransom demanded by the kidnappers, a source told The STAR the kidnappers wanted P30 million.

The driver remains in the custody of the AKG.