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4 get 40 years for kidnapping trader in Manila in 2003


Four men have been sentenced to 40 years imprisonment for robbing and kidnapping a Filipino-Chinese businessman seven years ago. The victim, Tony Chua, spent 37 days in captivity in a safehouse in Tanauan town in Batangas before fleeing his captors in 2003. In a 35-page joint decision, the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 47 court issued the commitment order for the convicts - Reynante Manzanero, Mario Tayag, Arthur Fajardo and Mario Evangelista - at the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. “Wherefore, the court finds accused . . . guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the felony of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom and in conformity with law they are hereby sentenced to suffer separate prison term of Reclusion Perpetua and to pay the cost," said Judge Silverio Castillo in the decision. The four introduced themselves as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) when they abducted Chua, who just came from a mahjong session with friends in Mabini, Manila. Castillo, on the other hand, gave a lighter sentence of 14 years in prison to accused Angelito Evangelista since his participation only came in after the victim was kidnapped and during the time the complainant was held under detention “With respect to Angelito Evangelista, he is hereby sentenced to suffer prison term of 12 years and 1 day as minimum to 14 years and 8 months as maximum of reclusion temporal," he said. The judge ordered the five accused to pay Chua P50,000 for the personal property that they took from him. The accused initially demanded $3 million from Chua’s family, but before the money was produced, Chua was able to escape his captors and seek the help of authorities. - KBK, GMANews.TV

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