16 arrested, 'illegally detained' family rescued in QC operation —NBI

The National Bureau of Investigation has arrested 16 people fover allegations they illegally detained a family, including a 6-year-old boy, in a compound in Quezon City for more than a month.

NBI operatives rescued one Camille Bonifacio, her partner Mark Jason Magbanua, and their son from a "heavily guarded" compound along North Diversion Road in Barangay Unang Sigaw on August 24, the bureau said.

Agents seized three pistols, three shotguns, two revolvers, live ammunition, four handheld radios, and two bullet-proof vests, it added

Acting on a complaint that several armed men and security guards forcibly entered and illegally occupied the compound where the family lives on July 10, the NBI planned the operation.

The NBI said Magbanua escaped from the compound on August 20 and filed a complaint, alleging that they were being held hostage to compel his partner's brother to negotiate with their captors for a "royalty" in the compound.

Fearing for his family's safety, Magbanua returned to the compound, the NBI said.

According to the NBI, Magbanua also alleged the armed men threatened that members of the  family will be "shot mercilessly" if they tried to escape.

NBI-National Capital Region's surveillance information showed that the area was "heavily guarded by armed men," the bureau said.

Those arrested face complaints for kidnapping and serious illegal detention and child abuse before the Quezon City prosecutor's office. —LBG, GMA News