DAVAO CITY -- A suspected kidnapper of a six-year-old son of a businessman in Davao del Sur was killed in a shootout with police in this city Thursday.
The kidnapped six-year-old boy, a kindergarten pupil at Matina Central Elementary School, was rescued in Lizada village in Toril.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director Rene Aspera identified the slain suspect as Jack Ferdinand Pala, 26, a tricycle driver from Crossing Bayabas, Toril, Davao City.
Pala's companion, who was identified as Joel Reyes Moda, 18, of Doña Pilar in Sasa, was arrested.
Pala earlier eluded arrest in another police operation.
Investigation showed that Pala and Moda fetched the boy in school around 2:30 p.m. of October 17, Monday. The boy appeared to have known the two as he willingly went with them, police said. The boy was declared missing then.
The victim's parents sought police assistance, which prompted the operation.
Aspera said the victim's father received a call at 3 p.m. Monday from the suspects, informing him that they abducted his son.
The suspects made another call and informed the boy's mother about their location and demanded P2 million ransom money.
The police, with the help of Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, immediately held a case conference on Tuesday and mapped out plans to rescue the boy.
The suspect contacted the boy's parents again at 11 p.m. Tuesday to assure them that their son is alive and remind them of the ransom money.
The father said the suspects threatened to remove the internal organs of his son if they fail to provide the cash.
On Wednesday night, the father told the police he could only provide P180,000 and assorted jewelries.
They negotiated with the suspects on the amount. Fortunately, the suspects agreed and the operation for the pay-off started.
The authorities started their operation in Digos City down to Sta. Cruz and Toril.
Around 2:30 a.m. Thursday, the kidnappers met with the victim's parents for the ransom payoff in Barangay Sibulan, Sta. Cruz town, Davao del Sur.
Aspera said policemen were around to accost the suspects.
However, when the gunmen noticed the presence of cops, they gave chase but were later arrested.
In a follow-up operation, authorities rescued the abandoned boy in Barangay Sinawilan in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, while a concerned resident reported to the police the whereabouts of Pala.
The pursuit operation went on. Pala was killed in a gun battle with the policemen.
"He (slain suspect) tried to lob a grenade on the pursuing policemen; he was killed," police spokesman Superintendent Jose Carumba said.
The official said at least two more suspects are still being hunted down.
Recovered from the crime scene were a black motorcycle, one hand grenade, P180,000 and assorted jewelries, several empty shells, and caliber .38 pistol.
Moda was detained at the DCPO's jail facility, while Pala was brought to the Angel Funeral Parlor.
The six-year-old boy was brought to the hospital for medical check-up. (Sun.Star Davao/VR/Sunnex)
