Family of lawmen nabbed for kidnapping

MANILA, Philippines — Four men, three of them law enforcers, were arrested for allegedly kidnapping two Chinese last month and stealing their vehicles, a Philippine National Police (PNP) official said yesterday.

The suspects – all related – were identified as dismissed Police Officer 3 Mark Anthony Roque, 36, the alleged ringleader; former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency intelligence officer Arnold Camayang, 33; Metropolitan Manila Development Authority enforcer Alvin Jay Roque, 27; and Christian John Talaue, 22. 

The four men allegedly kidnapped Wu Shaowei, 36, and Wu Yaochui and stole four of their vehicles in two separate incidents in Malabon on April 7 and Quezon City on May 25.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the suspects were involved in crimes ranging from robbery extortion to kidnapping and carnapping to “profit from their victims.”

Albayalde said the suspects targeted the Chinese as they were “easy targets” who can be threatened into paying ransom.

Police are investigating a person who allegedly acted as a “spotter” for the suspects to help identify their next victims. 

Investigators said Roque and Camayang, who identified themselves as policemen, blocked Shaowei at a gasoline station along Congressional Avenue, took his vehicle and transferred him to another car.

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel said the car used by the suspects was the first one stolen from the victims in the same manner last April.

The suspects allegedly demanded P3 million from the victims in exchange for their release. They later settled for P300,000.

The suspects drove away with two more vehicles of Shaowei even after the ransom was paid. 

The victims went to the police.

The younger Roque and Talaue were arrested during a stakeout operation with the two stolen vans along NS Amoranto street in Barangay Salvacion at around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. 

Camayang was arrested at the parking area of the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in Camp Crame as he was driving the stolen sport utility vehicle of the victims.

The elder Roque was earlier arrested by the PNP-HPG along McArthur Highway in Valenzuela City on Wednesday. 

Shaowei identified the suspects as the men who kidnapped him and stole his vehicles, all of which were recovered by police.

The elder Roque was last assigned to the PNP Crime Laboratory before he was dismissed from service in 2016 after being absent without leave.  

Chief Superintendent Fajardo said they are verifying reports that the suspects targeted another set of victims. He refused to elaborate.