Indian kidnapped, mauled over low-priced jewelry
An Indian national was rescued by San Juan police after allegedly being kidnapped, beaten, and robbed by five armed men who reportedly have links with his business rivals.
In Emil Sumangil's "24 Oras" report, police investigations revealed that the victim—who sells synthetic diamonds in a shopping complex in San Juan — had drawn the ire of competitors for selling his goods at very low prices.
'Sinasabi po nila na naapektuhan po yung kanilang negosyo. Gawaan ang biktima po ay nagbebenta ng sobrang baba ng mga synthetic diamonds. Ito po ay nakakapekto ng luha doon sa mga negosyo ng suspect,' said Police Colonel Deodennis Joy Marmol, San Juan Chief of Police.
(They said their business was affected because the victim was selling synthetic diamonds at very low prices. This hurt the suspects' own businesses.)
Colonel Marmol explained that the suspects allegedly hired goons to confront the victim.
'Sinakay po siya sa kotse. Nung nasa loob po siya ng kotse, sinaktan po siya at pinagbantaan po na "huwag ka nang babalik ng Pilipinas." Bukod po doon, kinuha po yung kanyang mga personal na gamit consisting po ng one million worth of synthetic diamonds na binibenta niya,' Marmol added.
(They forced him into a car. Inside, he was beaten and warned never to return to the Philippines. They also took his belongings, including around one million pesos' worth of synthetic diamonds.)
After being released, the victim immediately reported the incident to police, prompting an operation to track down the suspects.
'Naresolba po natin ito sa pamamagitan po ng record check po noong sasakyan na ginamit at saka po sa pag-backtrack po ng mga CCTV footage,' he added.
(We resolved the case through a records check on the vehicle used and by backtracking CCTV footage.)
Authorities have yet to release the identities of the suspects, who are currently under investigation. They have remained silent on the allegations.
Despite the ordeal, the victim expressed gratitude for his rescue.
'Right now I'm feeling so much safe,' the victim said.
Police assured the public that operations continue to ensure the safety of foreign nationals and to protect fair business practices in the city. — Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA Integrated News
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Animal welfare group, school condemn dog cruelty in Pangasinan, Iloilo
Two separate incidents of animal cruelty that occurred in Pangasinan and Iloilo drew flak from an animal welfare group and a school. In CCTV footage, a dog is seen being dragged by a motorcycle in Calasio, Pangasinan. The incident was reported to the barangay, but the suspect has yet to be identified. According to a barangay personnel, the suspect is not a resident of the area. It is also unclear what happened to the dog. The Animal Investigation Project, who condemned the incident, said the dog would most likely die from the injuries it sustained from being dragged by the motorcycle. The investigation is still ongoing. Meanwhile, in Iloilo City, a security guard was relieved from his duty on a university campus after firing a gun. A video showed that two dogs were running after a gun was fired. The security guard admitted the incident. According to the police, the security guard said the dogs have rabies, pose as a threat to students, and that they scatter garbage. GMA Regional TV is reaching out to the security guard, but he has been relieved from his work. The university condemned the incident, while the police said it would help those who plan to file a case against the security guard, who may face charges for violating the Animal Welfare Act. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News
_2025_05_30_23_15_23.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
GMA Network
4 days ago
- GMA Network
4 Chinese citizens arrested at alleged scam hub in Parañaque
Four Chinese citizens were arrested and multiple electronic gadgets were seized when National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents raided an alleged scam hub inside a condominium unit in Parañaque City on Wednesday. According to a ''24 Oras'' report by John Consulta on Friday, NBI agents from the Criminal Intelligence Division were serving an arrest warrant in one unit of the condo when they noticed suspicious activity coming from a nearby unit. Agents reportedly witnessed Chinese citizens throwing laptops and mobile phones out the window, prompting them to shift their attention to the adjacent room. 'Umikot yung ibang tropa doon sa may bintana, sa may gilid. Nakita namin may tinatapon ng mga laptop. Kaya nagtaka kami,' said NBI Assistant Director for Intelligence Service Noel Bocaling. (Some of our team members went to the side near the window. We saw laptops being thrown out, which raised our suspicions.) Upon entry into the unit, the agents discovered computers and electronic equipment allegedly used in online scamming operations. Scattered on the floor below the condo unit were laptops, cellphones, and tablets, which investigators believe was a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence. 'Positive kasi yung mga natirang hindi nila naibato, na masira, naabutan namin sa loob. They are indeed involved in scam operations,'' Bocaling said. (The devices they failed to destroy and that we recovered confirm they are indeed involved in scam operations.) Asked if data could still be retrieved from the damaged devices, Bocaling responded, 'Magta-try kami (We will try).'' 'Pagka makukuha namin yung mga nandodoon, malalaman natin kung sino mga naloko nila at kung ano-ano mga bansa.' (Once we retrieve the data, we can find out who their victims are and which countries were targeted.) The four arrested Chinese citizens are currently detained at the NBI facility and face charges under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act. They have declined to comment regarding their arrest. —Sherylin Untalan/VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- GMA Network
Detained Russian vlogger asks DILG chief Remulla to drop charges
Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, currently detained for harassing Filipinos in public for content, has asked Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla to drop the charges against him, citing mental health concerns. According to Jun Veneracion's report in '24 Oras' on Friday, Remulla said he received a letter from the Russian detainee. 'Sumulat sa akin na he is suffering from mental health issues daw,' Remulla said. 'Kung puwede i-drop na 'yung mga kaso, humihingi siya ng patawad.' (He wrote to me that he is allegedly suffering from mental health issues…asking if the charges filed against him could be dropped, and he also asked for forgiveness.) But Remulla maintained that Zdorovetskiy's actions should never go unpunished. He further stated that charges of unjust vexation against Zdorovetskiy for harassing three security guards will be filed in court next week. Earlier, the Taguig Prosecutor's Office had dismissed the theft charges but found 'sufficient evidence on record to establish a reasonable certainty of conviction for the crime of unjust vexation.' Remulla also said that Zdorovetskiy's legal team attempted to reach a settlement with the security guards. 'Mabuti na lang, 'yung mga security guards ay matibay ang loob. Hindi bumigay at itutuloy natin ang kaso,' he said. (Good thing our security guards stood firm. They did not fall for it and will continue with the case.) GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to the legal team of the Russian vlogger. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/VBL, GMA Integrated News
