QC court convicts 3 over kidnapping of businesswoman Sally Chua

After more than a decade of trial, a Quezon City (QC) court on Friday convicted three individuals for the kidnapping of businesswoman Sally Chua in 2013.

According to a portion of the decision, the QC Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 223 found Ramil Macamay, Riccente Padillo, and Rodante Cabaylo guilty beyond reasonable doubt of conspiring to kidnap Chua for ransom.

They were sentenced to suffer reclusion perpetua without eligibility for parole.

Aside from this, the court also ordered them to pay, jointly and severally, P100,000 as civil indemnity, P100,000 as moral damages, and P100,000 as exemplary damages.

It said all awards shall earn a legal interest rate of 6% per annum from the finality of the decision until fully paid.

FLASH REPORT: 3 miyembro ng kinap-for-ransom group na dumukot sa isang negosyante noong 2013, hinatulan ng reclusion perpetua ng Quezon City Regional Trial Court. | via @allangatus pic.twitter.com/ED1ab93NRr

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 24, 2025

According to Allan Gatus’ report on Super Radyo dzBB, the anti-crime group Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO) said the decision is a win for justice.

In 2013, Chua was abducted by suspects believed to be members of the Bye Bye kidnap for ransom group. Her abductors initially demanded a ransom of P150 million but agreed to lower it to P15 million.

Authorities conducted the rescue operation while the suspects were withdrawing the ransom at a bank in Davao City. Three suspects were killed during the encounter.

--VAL, GMA Integrated News