Kidnapped businessman, driver found dead in Rizal

Metro Manila, Philippines - Steel entrepreneur Anton Tan and his driver who were kidnapped have been found dead in Rodriguez, Rizal, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday, April 10.

PNP spokesperson PBGen Jean Fajardo said bruises, injuries, and signs of strangulation were found on their bodies when they were recovered on Wednesday.

Investigation on the case is ongoing. Authorities are studying whether kidnapping was the main objective of the perpetrators since the family supposedly paid a ransom fee.

“The usual na naitatala nating kidnapping case, kapag nakapagbayad ng ransom ay inire-release,” Fajardo said in a chance interview.

[Translation: In the usual kidnapping cases we log, the victims are being released once a ransom is paid.]

Authorities are also looking into the possibility of Filipinos and Chinese nationals colluding in the killing, as well as if the case is related to Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO).

“As to the issue of POGO, isa ‘yun sa tinitignan nating anggulo [we are looking at that angle] and possible involvement ng isang grupong [of a group] behind this incident and previous incidents na [that were] involved sa [in] POGO-related operation,” Fajardo said.

The victim’s vehicle, which was allegedly left by two hooded men, was recovered on April 8.

Anti-Kidnapping Group chief relieved

Following the incident, PNP chief PGen Rommel Marbil relieved Anti-Kidnapping Group director PBGen Elmer Ragay.

Fajardo said Marbil was not satisfied with Ragay’s performance.

Ragay will be replaced by PCol David Poklay, the previous deputy director for operations of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.