Indian lender abducted, murdered

By Francis Allan L. Angelo
POLICE are looking into the possibility of a gang preying on Indian nationals engaged in usurious lending business in Panay.

Authorities are following this angle after an Indian national was abducted in Iloilo and found dead in Capiz over the weekend.

Naib Singh, 42, of Gran Plains Subdivision, Jaro, Iloilo City was found dead in the mountainous area of Brgy. Sibariwan, Dumarao past 6am of May 30.

SPO4 Eddie Onato, investigator in charged of the case, said Singh was wearing his underwear when discovered by residents in the area.

The Dumarao police also found a 1-meter deep hole in the crime scene while a wire and belt were tied in the Indian national’s right hand.

Onato said Singh may have succumbed to stab wounds in his back and armpit aside from showing signs of being beaten by the suspects.

Singh was last seen alive in Sara town in the 5th congressional district of Iloilo where the victim maintains and lending and motorcycle trading business.

According to Singh’s relatives, four suspects on board a van snatched the businessman in Sara May 29. The family reported the incident the police after they failed to trace the victim.

At around 2am of May 30, the Singhs received a call from an unidentified person demanding P7 million in exchange for the victim’s liberty.

Singh’s family told the caller that they cannot afford the amount and haggled for a lower ransom. The demand was lowered to P5 million then later to P1 million.

Before giving in to the kidnapper’s demand, Singh’s brother pleaded if they can hear the victim’s voice as proof of life but the suspect declined the request.

SPO4 Onato said Singh may have been dead when the kidnappers began negotiations with the family of the victim.

“Their main objective may have been to kill the victim but they took their chance if they can milk money from his family. They tortured him to beat because of the numerous injuries in his head and body,” Onato said.

Singh’s family went to Dumarao and identified the victim after learning of the news that an Indian national was found dead in the town.

Onato said a resident of Sibariwan heard a commotion near the crime scene in the evening around 8pm of May 29.

The witness told the police that he even heard someone say “Madalagan ka pa gali ha?” (You want to run?) followed by screams for help.

Onato said they have investigated similar kidnapping cases involving Indian nationals “but we have filed cases against the suspects.”

The police investigator said it is possible that a gang is behind the kidnap-for-ransom cases.

Intelligence sources at Police Regional Office-6 said the International Police Agency and the Indian embassy have learned of Singh’s kidnapping and murder.

Meanwhile, robbers took away P20,000 cash and other valuables from an Indian national and two Ilonggos in Lambunao, Iloilo Friday.

Freet Kaur, temporarily residing at Brgy. Cubay, Jaro, Mary Jay Camanug of Brgy. Balatigun, Janiuay and Romeo Pasco of Brgy. Tumay, Mina were collecting from their debtors when four armed persons declared the heist.

Aside from the cash, the suspects also took away the victims’ cellphones and jewelry and fled.