Pilot nabbed for kidnap of investment scammer

MANILA, Philippines — A former commercial pilot tagged in the kidnapping of a businessman accused of masterminding a multimillion-peso investment scam was arrested in Pasay City on Tuesday night.

Niño Jorino Ledesma was apprehended by operatives of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group under the supervision of CIDG director Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard at 11:30 p.m.

Police took Ledesma into custody based on a warrant of arrest for kidnapping issued by Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court Branch 198 Judge Cristina Bersamin-Embuscado.

No bail was recommend for Ledesma’s temporary liberty.

Col. Randy Glenn Silvio, CIDG National Capital Region field office head, said Ledesma is among the suspects in the kidnapping of Patrocenio Chiyuto Jr. in March 2020.

Ledesma is included in the list of most wanted fugitives in Metro Manila, police said.

Chiyuto was kidnapped in Barangay Talon Dos, Las Piñas on March 16. Six suspects were arrested days after the incident.

Chiyuto remains missing.

Silvio said they are looking into illegal drugs as among the possible motives for Chiyuto’s kidnapping.

Chiyuto allegedly masterminded a double-your-money investment scheme, which duped potential investors in Western Visayas.

Ledesma was brought to the CIDG office at Camp Crame in Quezon City for investigation.