HIGHWAY Patrol Group (HPG) policemen have arrested two suspected members of a kidnap-for-ransom syndicate said to be operating in the National Capital Region (NCR) and in nearby provinces during an anti-carnapping operation in Cavite Province.
The suspects - identified as Wilbert Repal Ong, 24, and John Dumdumaya, 31, both of Antipolo City - were arrested at 2 p.m. last Tuesday, HPG Director Perfecto Palad announced in a press conference at the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame.
Palad said an HPG team led by Chief Inspector Allan Macapagal flagged down a Mitsubishi Adventure driven by the suspects in Barangay Salinas, Bacoor in the province after its plate number (PGX-748) was traced to have been issued to a Toyota Cressida.
"When further checked, the HPG operatives noticed two firearms inside the vehicle prompting them to place the suspects under arrest. When brought to the HPG-Cavite headquarters for questioning, one of the suspects broke down and admitted involvement in kidnapping for ransom crimes," said Palad.
Confiscated from the suspects were a caliber .9 mm pistol, and a caliber .38 revolver and the Mitsubishi vehicle owned by Dumdumaya.
According to Palad, the vehicle that was seized by the police was also being used by the two in their kidnapping activities.
Palad said they are looking into the involvement of the two suspects in the kidnapping of an Indian national Balwinder Kumar who was kidnapped in Tanay last June 14. He was released by his captors after his relatives paid unspecified amount of ransom.
"In coordination with the Pacer (Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response), HPG investigators are looking into the involvement of the suspects and their group in other kidnapping incidents.
Palad said the policemen are tracking down the suspects' cohorts, which included two unnamed Indian nationals who are said to be responsible for the identification of targets. (VR/Sunnex)
