KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/17 December) – Police and soldiers recovered early Friday morning the daughter of a businessman slain by kidnappers the day before in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, officials said.
Chief Insp. Joyce Birrey, North Cotabato police spokesperson, said the eight-year old victim was recovered by joint elements of the local police and the 40th Infantry Battalion reportedly following a clash with the suspects.
Birrey said that Jomar Ulangkaya, a resident of Barangay Gang in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao, was arrested during the hot pursuit operations.
The Grade 3 student of Pigcawayan Central Elementary School was immediately brought to a local hospital for medical examination, she said.
Pursuit operations against the other perpetrators continue, Birrey added.
Appropriate charges will be filed against the suspects, who also killed the girl’s father, Allan Tamayo, when he tried to fight them, the police official said.
Investigation showed that three armed men perpetrated the crime in front of the residence of the Tamayo family in Barangay Poblacion 1 of the town. The family was reportedly engaged in the trading of agricultural products.
The girl, who was to be driven to her school by the father for a Christmas Party, was forced into a gray vehicle bearing plate number MAD 808, Birrey said.
But upon reaching Barangay South Manuangan of Pigcawayan, the driver lost control and hit the steel railing of the highway, resulting in the arrest of another suspect, she added.
Chief Insp. Jomar Alexis A. Yap, regional Philippine National Police spokesperson, said the victim was recovered at around 5:30 a.m. following the pursuit operation in the village.
Yap said that regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Group agents also conducted an entrapment operation that led to the recovery of the girl and the arrest of Ulangkaya. (Bong S. Sarmiento/MindaNews)