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Thursday, February 12, 2004
Kidnapped American national rescued
MANILA -- American-Chinese businessman Alastair Joseph Onglingswan was rescued from the hands of his abductors in Bacoor, Cavite on Wednesday after 21 days of captivity.
While relatives of a US Army specialist is asking for a full-blown investigation into his mysterious death inside Fort Rucker in Alabama USA.
National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (Naktaf) head Angelo Reyes said Onglingswan, who was handcuffed and wearing chains on the neck and legs, was recovered at 8:50 a.m. Wednesday from a house in Camella Somento Subdivision in Barangay Panapaan in Bacoor, Cavite.
Onglingswan was presented to President Arroyo, and in turn lauded Naktaf for their accomplishment. Arroyo hoped that they would continue to succeed in neutralizing other kidnap groups.
Hong Kong national George Yao, who was occupying the house where Onglingsawan was recovered, was arrested and subjected to tactical interrogation at the Naktaf headquarters. Reyes said they are trying to find out if Yao is working with other kidnappers or is connected with some kidnapping groups.
Reyes said the suspect was also involved in the kidnapping of a British national in 2001 who was only released after his family paid ransom. The victim, however, was released without an ear, which was cut off and sent to the victim's family to prove that he was in the hands of the kidnappers.
Onglingswan, during the presentation at the Presidential Security Group (PSG) Park, thanked the American embassy, the government and authorities for his rescue.
He added he was glad that they were able to rescue him with all his body parts intact.
Reyes said Onglingswan would still undergo physical examination before he is allowed to go home and be reunited with his family.
Onglingswan flagged down a taxi cab on his way to a fitness center in Makati City last January 20. Yao, who posed as a taxi driver, drove the cab.
Yao brought Onglingsawan to his house where he was placed in a separate room and shackled. Onglingsawan's friends were informed about the abduction on January 21 when Onglingswan first asked his New York-based girlfriend to send $5,000 to his bank account and his business partner in the Philippines to produce P20,000 for his daily expenses while in captivity.
Reyes said no ransom was paid for the suspect but the victim's family has been sending P20,000 daily for his "board and lodging."
Mysterious death
Meanwhile, relatives of US Army Specialist Pedro Albert Consolacion want a full-blown investigation into his mysterious death inside Fort Rucker in Alabama in the United States last week.
Consolacion, nephew of prominent lawyer Tomas Falgui II, was found dead inside his room last Saturday (Philippine time) when he failed to show up for mandatory physical training in the US Army barracks.
A wire report did not specify the cause of his death, although Falgui said he was informed that his nephew sustained at least a gunshot wound.
Consolacion is the fourth child of the lawyer's elder sister Theresa Falgui who is now a US citizen.
Falgui said his nephew called up his sister last week and said the 20-year-old Afghanistan war veteran wanted to join the US Coast Guard Academy.
Consolacion, who grew up in the city under the care of his grandmother Minda Falgui, also reportedly wanted to transfer to Fort Bragg.
He migrated to the US more than five years ago and joined the US Army in 2001.
In December 2002, he was sent for combat duty to Afghanistan and returned to the US in July 2003.
He was promoted to specialist (equivalent to corporal in the Philippine Army) after his Afghan duty where three of his fellow soldiers died in action.
Consolacion was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Marksman qualification badge in his two and a half years of service in the US Army.
He was granted US citizenship only last month. His remains turns will be flown back the country sometime this month. JMR and Edwin G. Espejo
(February 12, 2004 issue)
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