Kidnap suspect with P250,000 bounty falls

By Ronron
June 20, 2007

A suspected kidnapper who is in the government’s wanted list and carries a P250,000 bounty on his head was arrested over the weekend by police operatives in Cavite.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Intelligence Group Chief Supt. Raul Castañeda on Wednesday presented to Camp Crame reporters the suspect whom he identified as Joel Dionaldo, alias Entoy Gamba and Barkley, an alleged member of the Waray-Waray Kidnap-for-Ransom group.

Dionaldo was arrested last Sunday afternoon at Reginaville Classic, Barangay de Ocampo, Trece Martirez City, Cavite after an informant told police of his whereabouts.

“Dionaldo was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Honorable Norberto Quisumbing, Jr., Executive Judge of RTC Branch 21, 4th Judicial Region, Imus, Cavite for the crime of kidnapping for ransom, with no bail recommended,” Castañeda said.

Dionaldo’s victim, Caridad Chua, was present during the media briefing and positively identified him as her caretaker when she was abducted for five days starting June 28, 2005.

Chua, a 54-year-old orchid grower, said she was abducted by 12 to 13 people in exchange for P450,000.00.

“It’s my first time now to see him since the incident happened that’s why I’m scared… But I recognize his face as well as the cross mark (tattoo) on his arm near his shoulder,” Chua told reporters as a handcuffed and heavily guarded Dionaldo stood behind her.

Castañeda said Dionaldo is also implicated in the kidnap-for-ransom of a restaurant owner in Angono, Rizal in May 2005, involving P380,000; and a robbery hold-up case in Antipolo City in June 2005, involving P300,000.00.

“We hope that with his (Dionaldo) arrest now, his victims will come out and file the necessary charges,” Castañeda said.

Castañeda said the informant will get the P250,000 reward from the government once the processing of papers is completed.

The Waray-Waray Gang is one of the most notorious KFR groups operating in the capital, with members mostly coming from the Waray-speaking provinces in Eastern Visayas./DMS