An ex-policeman and two others were arrested after trying to kidnap a 59-year-old businessman at Brgy. Kapitan Pepe in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija on 26 January 2026.

According to the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO), three male suspects forcibly taken the businessman at gunpoint after arriving at his warehouse in Brgy. Kapitan Pepe at around 7:52 a.m.

The three suspects also seized the victim’s red Toyota pick-up truck and fled south. The suspects reportedly demanded a ransom of P5 million for the release of the victim.

While fleeing toward Brgy. Bakod Bayan, the suspects were involved in a hit-and-run incident that injured two civilians. Local residents reportedly threw stones at the suspects’ vehicle following the incident. The injured civilians were immediately transported to PJG Hospital for medical treatment.

The victim was later safely recovered at Amorville, Purok 1, Brgy. Bakod Bayan, while his stolen vehicle was located at Sitio Hacienda, Purok 2, Brgy. Bakod Bayan.

The vehicle, with the suspects still on board, got a flat tire, prompting them to abandon it and flee separately using other vehicles or public transportation. The suspects fled toward Sitio Parugrog, Brgy. Kalikid Sur, prompting a swift hot pursuit operation.

Using tracking data from the victim’s stolen cellphone, authorities were able to locate and apprehend the 49-year-old AWOL police personnel, married and resident of Brgy. Mabini Extension, Cabanatuan City, who is also the victim’s cousin, at Sitio Daang Bakal, Brgy. San Juan, San Miguel, Bulacan, at approximately 5:52pm on the same day.

The suspect, identified as the mastermind was intercepted while allegedly attempting to dispose of and sell the victim’s stolen cellphone that led operatives directly to his location.

Follow-up operations also led to the arrest of the two remaining suspects, a 34-year-old single male, unemployed and resident of Brgy. Barrera, Cabanatuan City, and a 27-year-old married male, unemployed and resident of Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, who were apprehended in their respective barangays.

Criminal complaints for Kidnapping under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code are now being prepared against all the arrested suspects.