NEWSLINKS US EDITION COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Indian national Paul Naal Iqbal Singh, who was abducted on March 18, in Gerona, Tarlac, Philippines, was released on Thursday.
The family of the abducted Indian, based in Paniqui, had refused to co-operate with the Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Task Force and had even stressed that they were willing to pay the ransom demanded, to assure the victim's safety.
The ransom was handed over by the family to Esmeraldo Abalos, who rode a motorcycle, in Capas. A red pick-up truck used by the Singh family left on payment of the ransom and the motorcyclist followed but, in his haste, hit a task force vehicle, which was keeping a watch nearby.
Abalos, who was arrested, admitted that his group was responsible for the abduction and that the victim was in a house owned by Vicente Pancho in Umingan, Pangasinan.
He also confessed that the mastermind was Joseph Singh, from Concepcion, Tarlac, who according to him, was waiting for the ransom money.
Joseph later called Abalos, enquiring if he had received the ransom money. When Abalos answered in the affirmative, the victim was released.
The victim was freed in Moncada at around 18:30 hours local time.
The operation resulted in the arrest of Joseph, Sonny Singh, Edgar Macaraig, Angelito Sampang and Abalos.
The recovered items included the ransom money, a handgun with magazines and six bullets.
Agencies
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
