NBI arrests ex-councilor over kidnap of 2 Chinese

MANILA, Philippines — Shortly after arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Las Vegas, a former Manila councilor believed to be one of the suspects in the kidnapping of two Chinese nationals was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday.

Roderick Valbuena, who served as councilor of Manila’s 5th District from 2007 to 2010, was nabbed based on a warrant issued by a Makati court for kidnapping for ransom.

Valbuena was among those implicated in the kidnapping of Meng Zhao and Yang Zhuan Zhuan on June 2, 2024.

Both victims were in a Lexus car together with their friends – Chinese Shi Yi Xuan and Malaysian Tang Heng Fei – when motorcycle-riding men flagged their vehicle along Taft Avenue in Pasay.

Authorities said the victims were handcuffed, assaulted and forcibly dragged into a van with blinkers.

Shi and Tang managed to escape, but they reportedly paid P2.3 million in ransom to free the victims who were released by the suspects on June 3, 2024.

Former interior secretary Benhur Abalos identified Valbuena as one of the 10 suspects said to be part of a kidnapping ring.

However, only five suspects have been charged: Valbuena, S/Sgt. Ricky Yumul Tabora, Marion Quiambao Badando, Raymond Nunieza and Raymond Nunieza Jr.

Valbuena was apprehended by members of the NBI-International Airport Investigation Division shortly after he flew in from Las Vegas.

He is being held at the NBI detention facility in Muntinlupa.

In 2019, the Sandiganbayan found Valbuena guilty of falsification of documents for failure to disclose his wife’s businesses and motor vehicle in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.