NBI and PNP-AKG nabbed four individuals for kidnapping foreign nationals

Nasugbu, Batangas- The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the PNP-Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) filed charges against individuals who conspired in kidnapping three foreign nationals in Nasugbu, Batangas.

NBI Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.) said that the case stemmed from intelligence reports and investigative efforts conducted collaboratively by the NBI-Organized and Transnational Crimes Division (OTCD) and the PNP-Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG). The investigation began following a kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) incident on May 2, 2025, involving two (2) Chinese and one (1) Korean who were abducted while en route to a fishing trip in Nasugbu, Batangas. The victims were intercepted at a made-up checkpoint set up by the Subjects near the Kaybiang Tunnel, near the Cavite-Batangas boundary. Disguised as law enforcement officers, the perpetrators forcibly abducted them under the pretense of conducting a legitimate police operation.

Subsequent coordination and intelligence operations led to the voluntary surrender of JOMAR PELAYO UBARDE on May 26, 2025, at the NBI-OTCD headquarters in Pasay City. During a custodial investigation conducted in the presence of his legal counsel, UBARDE executed a sworn extrajudicial confession, admitting his participation in the surveillance, coordination, and logistical planning of the abduction. He identified DANILO “DANNY” LOMINOQUE ABILONG as the mastermind behind the scheme and a certain JOHN NELSON LADRERA alias “Master”, was responsible for recruiting operational assets for the actual execution of the kidnapping.

In a separate sworn statement, DANILO L. ABILONG corroborated the material facts provided by UBARDE. ABILONG recounted being promised financial compensation in exchange for his cooperation in planting a GPS tracking device and monitoring the movements of his employer, one of the eventual victims, under the guise of assisting a law enforcement operation. He also confirmed the involvement of “Master,” who coordinated with the individuals who posed as law enforcement personnel to carry out the abduction.

The totality of the evidence gathered including sworn statements, call logs, image evidence, corroborative testimonies, and detailed admissions by key participants – establishes probable cause to believe that JOMAR P. UBARDE committed acts constituting Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping for Ransom, as defined and penalized under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by R.A. No. 7659, in relation to R.A. No. 9372 (Human Security Act).

The co-conspirator, JOHN NELSON LADRERA and a certain alias ERICK, who remain at large, were likewise charged for their roles in the kidnapping. Meanwhile, a case for Kidnapping for Ransom has already been filed against DANILO L. ABILONG by the AKG before the Office of the Task Force on Anti-Kidnapping, National Prosecution Service, Department of Justice.