Group behind US Marine's kin's kidnap 'not identified'

Manila: Police have failed to identify the group that kidnapped the daughter of a retired US Marine in southern Luzon's Tagaytay City on last Sunday, a radio report said on Tuesday.

The Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response (Pacer) has not identified the group that was responsible for the kidnapping of Christine Loyola, a family member complained in the radio interview.

The kidnappers reportedly demanded 3 million pesos (Dh247,345) for Loyola's release. It is not known if her family has been negotiating for the payment of the ransom demand.

Heavily armed kidnappers used the family's car when they took the Marine, Ver Loyola, and his daughter from their posh residence in southern Luzon's Tagaytay City, a resort area.

Neutralisation

"We are pursuing the kidnappers. We will soon give more details," said Pacer chief, Senior Superintendent Leonardo A. Espina.

The kidnappers released the senior Loyola before the midnight of Sunday. He and his daughter were abducted at eight in the evening, said Espina. Earlier, the police announced the neutralisation of well-organised kidnapping-for-ransom group operating from Cavite City, which is near Tagaytay.

On June 27, the group kidnapped Demosthenes Canete, 67, a retired pilot, and his driver Allan Garay, 26, in Dasmarinas. Cavite. They were murdered even though the families paid some ransom. On July 4, Pacer arrested Victor Carungcong, 50, former vice-mayor of Dasmarinas, Cavite, on suspecion of links with the kidnapping ring.