Kidnap victim rescued in Bulacan

MANILA, Philippines - Anti-kidnapping operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday rescued in Bulacan a Chinese businessman who was snatched by armed men last Wednesday.

Five suspects in the kidnapping were killed during the rescue operation conducted by the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER), Special Action Force, Highway Patrol Group, Police Regional Office 3, and the National Capital Region Police Office.

Chief Superintendent Isagani Nerez, PACER head, said the victim, Ying Ching Chang, 29, was rescued unharmed from the suspects’ safehouse in Barangay Bigte, Norzagaray town at around 2:10 a.m. yesterday.

Two suspects guarding the blindfolded victim resisted the police operatives, triggering a firefight. They were killed after a brief shootout.

Three other suspects were intercepted at a checkpoint after an intense firefight at around 2:43 a.m. in Barangay Minuya also in Norzagaray town.

Another shootout ensured after the three fired at the police operatives, which resulted in the shattering of a windshield of a mobile patrol car. The three lay dead after the firefight.

The raiding team recovered the P210,000 ransom paid by the victim’s family.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome lauded the policemen who rescued Ying and vowed to continue the drive against criminals.

“This particular successful operation is the result of a well-coordinated action with other law enforcement agencies and community support through the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams that provided vital information,” Bartolome said in a statement.

“By hitting hard on organized crime syndicates, particularly those engaged in high-profile crime activities, we are leaving no room for criminals to pose threat to the community,” he added.

Yin, who is engaged in garments manufacturing, was snatched at gunpoint last Oct. 12.