Court Convicts 3 for 2013 Kidnap of Chinoy Trader

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) yesterday sentenced three members of a kidnap-for-ransom group to life imprisonment without eligibility for parole for the kidnapping of a Filipino-Chinese trader in 2013.

- With Mark Ernest Villeza

In a chance interview following the promulgation, lawyer Olivia Torevillas said trader Sally Chua attended the promulgation and "was very happy as justice was finally served."

"The RTC Branch 223 promulgated its decision in the case of People versus Ramil Macamay and others for the kidnapping of Mrs. Sally Chua. The court found all the accused guilty and imposed reclusion perpetua, without eligibility for parole," Torevillas announced.

RTC Branch 223 Judge Caridad Walse-Lutero also ordered Macamay and co-accused Riccento Padillo and Rodante Cabaylo to jointly pay P100,000 in civil indemnity, P100,000 in moral damages and P100,000 as exemplary damages.

According to records, Chua was abducted on July 5, 2013 while inside their store along EDSA in Quezon City and taken to Davao City by car and by boat.

She was rescued in Davao, after telling her captors that she could withdraw the rest of the ransom payment at a local bank.

At least three kidnappers - Ediberto Apari, Darrel Mortejo and alias Yoyong - were killed following a shootout with police officers outside the bank. The rest of the suspects were taken into custody.