Suspect in Quezon City kidnap-for-ransom case arrested

Operatives of the Philippine National Police — Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) have arrested one of the suspects behind the kidnapping in Barangay Mariana in New, Manila, Quezon City on New Year’s Eve.

According to the PNP-AKG, suspect Rachel Erica Gonzales and her five accomplices have undergone inquest proceedings for the crime of kidnapping for ransom and serious illegal detention.

Based on the report, Gonzales and her accomplices, alias Pao, alias Badboy, alias Mate, alias Boy, alias Da, and alias Ren kidnapped James Elijah Yap in New Manila on December 31.

On January 1, the victim’s father, Edwin, received a text message that claimed that Yap was in their custody and demanded him to pay P2 million. However, the PNP-AKG negotiated with the suspects and decreased the amount of the ransom to P1.5 million.

Yap was then released by the kidnappers on January 5 upon payment of the ransom demand along the highway of Barangay Malamig in Bustos, Bulacan.

The PNP-AKG said the victim has been reunited with his family and has undergone debriefing for the documentation of the case.

Meanwhile, according to the PNP-AKG, its operatives sighted a white Mitsubishi Strada pickup during the pay-off operation as the possible vehicle of the ransom taker.

The Land Transportation Office later verified the vehicle to be registered under the name of Gonzales.

Due to this, the PNP-AKG invited Gonzales on January 6 at the AKG headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City for an interview. Yap later arrived and identified Gonzales as one of the kidnappers.

“With this development,  Ms. Gonzales was automatically placed under arrest and accorded her Constitutional rights,” the PNP-AKG said.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News