No witness to support claims of ‘kidnap victim’

THE Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) failed to find witnesses to support the allegations of the 18-year old student who was allegedly kidnapped at Lacson Street, said BCPO Director Ricardo De la Paz Friday.

The victim, whose name is being withheld, a son of a businessman and a 2nd year mechanical engineering student in one of the private schools in Bacolod, was allegedly kidnapped by four unidentified armed men at 22nd Lacson Street and was released in Miag-ao, Iloilo City last month.

De la Paz said during the incident, there was a couple in the area who claimed they didn’t see any person or a victim of kidnapping who was forcibly grabbed to enter a car.

De la Paz said they also doubt the statements of the victim, considering that if he was forced to enter the car, he would have some injuries in some parts of his body, but no injury was found and his condition was okay when checked.

BCPO is now conducting further investigation on the group or fraternity who allegedly recruited the victim of kidnapping, De la Paz said.

The victim recently told his sister that the suspects, whom he described as wearing sunglasses and with their faces covered by handkerchiefs, took his bag which contained personal belongings, wristwatch, and P9,800 cash intended for his tuition fee.

De la Paz said the victim’s wallet, which still contained his identification cards, was found 50 meters away from Miag-ao Police Station, but his money was already missing.

He said the alleged victim is a student leader in school and has a good record, and before the incident, the victim was monitored travelling in Iloilo City.

“Even his classmates and teachers got worried why he missed his classes,” De la Paz added.

De la Paz disclosed that if they find out that the alleged victim is telling a lie, the police will conduct a study to determine the possible charges to be filed against him. (Merlinda A. Pedrosa)