Kidnap Watch Update
Tsinoy kidnapers convicted
Accused Rayan Domla and Christopher Nanson were found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the kidnap-for-ransom of Architect Ka Kuen Chua and meted the penalty of life imprisonment.
Anti-crime nongovernment organization Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order congratulated Chua for his triumph in seeing justice served.
It commended Chua for his persistence and determination in pursuing the case and presiding Judge Henri Jean-Paul B. Inting for the speedy proceedings that lasted only three and a half years.
Inting sets an all-time record considering that most of KFR cases lasted an average of seven years.
Chua was abducted Sept. 10, 2008 by six armed men, then chained for 17 agonizing days in captivity, often fed only with crackers.
Negotiations with kidnapers reduced the ransom to less than half the amount initially demanded.
However, after two payoffs – the first to a bank account, and a second dropped off in a fastfood outlet – the victim was still not released.
Sensing a strong possibility that the victim may be killed, the PACER, led by then PACER Chief Leonardo Espina, mounted a rescue operation.
Five kidnapers were killed at the safehouse where Nanson was arrested. Domla was subsequently arrested in pursuit operations.
Led by founding chairperson Teresita Ang See and chairman emeritus William Ho, MRPO gave full support to Chua’s family from the beginning.
His legal win is victory for all kidnap-for-ransom victims and strikes yet another blow in the fight against crime and violence.
Other Developments
Released: Mel John Auditor, 21, son of Magdaup village councilor Gabriel Auditor, reportedly after payment of P200,000 in ransom, in Payao town, Zamboanga Sibugay, on April 14. Auditor was kidnaped March 11 in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Kidnaped: Gas station owner Carlos Tee, 62, by seven armed men, in Jolo, on April 7. Also an employee of the Air Transport Office, Tee was at home in Barangay Asturias when taken.
Kidnaped: Salug town mayor Jeffrey Lim, by at least 10 armed men wearing ski masks and camouflage police uniforms, in Barangay Poblacion, Salug, Zamboanga del Norte, on April 2.