Armed Men Abduct Chinese Businessman from Bacoor Home, Demand P50M Ransom

BACOOR CITY, Cavite — Seven armed men forced their way into a Chinese businessman’s home, bound his family and househelp, and abducted him before demanding a 50-million-peso ransom for his release, police said.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. Wednesday inside Justine Ville Subdivision on Macopa Road in Bacoor City, according to the Bacoor City Component Police Station.

The victim was identified as Monico “Mon” Chua. His wife, Jewelly Ann Caguiat Chua, told police that seven men wearing black masks and long sleeves and armed with long firearms forcibly entered their home.

The suspects immediately restrained Jewelly Ann, housekeeper Demi Pedraza Garcia, 50, and another relative who was assisting at the residence. The couple’s three children — Justin Marcus, 13; Alexandra Frances, 10; and Micah Louise, 4 — were also bound before being locked inside a comfort room.

The suspects then took jewelry, a laptop, gadgets and cash before forcing Chua out of the house, police said.

Relatives who arrived at the scene found the remaining occupants still tied up and freed them.

Shortly after, Jewelly Ann received a text message that read: “Wag ka mag report buhay pa asawa mo” (“Don’t report this. Your husband is still alive.”)

An unidentified caller then contacted the victim’s sister, Jo Ann Chua, through cellphone numbers 0966-249-2507 and 0966-249-2508, demanding 50 million pesos for Chua’s release and threatening to kill him if the ransom was not paid before 1 a.m. Thursday.

A neighbor, Harry dela Cruz, who operates a sari-sari store near the residence, said he saw Chua’s white Nissan Terra with plate number NEH 8036 speed away from the house around 8 p.m., followed by a gray Toyota Innova heading toward Aguinaldo Highway. Another neighbor told dela Cruz that a person appeared to be tied up inside the Innova.

Investigators have secured the crime scene, interviewed witnesses and conducted a Scene of the Crime Operatives technical examination. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage in the area.

The PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group Luzon Field Unit, headed by Capt. Adrian James Albaytar, is leading the investigation and coordinating with local police.

Authorities are appealing to the public to come forward with any information that could aid in resolving the case and securing Chua’s safe return.