A total of four people were arrested by PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group for their involvement in a hoax kidnapping-for-ransom case in Davao City this week.
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A mother, son and two other suspects were arrested in an entrapment operation. They were Marissa Ocno-Pellano, her son Wenward, and two cohorts Juanito de la Cruz and Rixie Pagulayan.
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An investigation into the matter showed that Pellano concocted a story that her son Wenward was kidnapped on March 1, but was eventually freed by his captors. During questioning Wenward confessed that he and his mother made up the kidnapping story to extort 100,000 pesos from his father.
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Wenward also confessed that he was instructed to return to his home after his cohorts told him to get the 30,000 pesos ransom from his father.
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After the true story of the kidnapping event came to light, members of the PNP-Kidnapping Group in Davao City and police in San Pedro Police Station launched an entrapment operation which led to the arrest of those involved who lived in Cateel, Davao Oriental.
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During questioning, the cohorts in the kidnapping-for-ransom said that Mrs Pellano masterminded the scheme, even attempting to kill her husband on February 26 this year.
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On March 4, San Pedro Police filed formal charges of robbery with violence, and intimidation of person(s) against the four suspects.
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Police say the incident is the third fake kidnap-for-ransom case in the first three months of this year along. In 2015, a total of 14 ‘kidnap-me‘ cases were investigated and found to be a hoax.
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