Police rescue kidnapped US toddler in Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines—Police in the Philippines on Friday said they had rescued a 2-year-old American boy who was kidnapped for ransom from his home in Pampanga province. Two kidnappers were arrested.

National Police Chief Nicanor Bartolome said Friday masked men snatched the boy at gunpoint inside the house in San Fernando City. They also took a luxury car (a BMW X3 SUV) and jewelry.

The Orange County, California-born boy’s mother is a Filipino-American and his father is Chinese-American. He was abducted Wednesday and rescued unharmed the next day.

Bartolome said the victim’s parents sought the help of police, who monitored the abductors’ calls. Negotiations brought down the ransom from P50 million ($1.18 million) to P250,000 ($5,900).

The two suspects, identified as Michael Roque, 36, and Rogelio Ramos, 44, were arrested by the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group in Mabalacat, Pampanga, police said in a statement Friday.

One of the kidnappers was arrested after receiving the money. The second kidnapper was arrested in a follow-up operation.—With Matikas Santos, INQUIRER.net