American, daughter in kidnap case left for US, says embassy spokesperson

MANILA, Philippines – The American national Anthony Ricks, who is facing charges over the alleged kidnapping of the eight-year old granddaughter of former Abra representative and Lagayan town Mayor Cecilia Luna, left the country for the US, its embassy in Manila confirmed Friday.

In a text message, Tina Malone, embassy spokesperson, said that both Ricks and his daughter had left for the US.

“The Embassy is aware of this case. The Department of State and the US Embassy in Manila provided appropriate consular assistance. Due to privacy considerations, we cannot provide further information,” Malone said in the text message.

Ricks and four others were slapped with charges by the Quezon City police based on a complaint filed by Luna. One of the respondents, Guillermo Jorge Garcia, 44, of Salcedo Village in Makati City, had been arrested.

The reported kidnapping happened at around 7 a.m. on Tuesday inside the campus of the School of the Holy Spirit at BF Homes Subdivision, Barangay Holy Spirit, in Quezon City.

Luna, in earlier reports, said the kidnapping stemmed from a custody battle between Ricks and her London-based daughter.

In a radio interview early Friday, Luna said that she had gone to the US embassy to present documents and court orders stating that she had custody over her granddaughter.

She also lamented how the US embassy was not able to stop Ricks and his daughter from leaving the country.