NBI nabs suspect who allegedly abducted a woman he met on dating app

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-National Capital Region arrested a man in Pateros who allegedly abducted a woman he met on a dating app.

According to John Consulta's report on 24 Oras Weekend, the suspect allegedly had the identification cards, ATM cards, credit cards, cell phone, and white SUV of the  35-year-old victim, Irene Melican.

"Noong nalaman nila na hindi na umuuwi, ang isa nag-attempt na tumawag sa  victim sa Facebook. Nang tumawag siya, ang nakasagot bata. So kinausap  niya yung bata. Then suddenly, the phone was grabbed by someone,  pagtingjn ng friend ng victim, yung subject natin ang may hawak ng  phone," said NBI-NCR Chief Attorney Rommel Vallejo.

On June 13, CCTV captured the suspect and two female companions buying three expensive cell phones in San Juan using the victim's credit card and ID. But the photo on the ID is different.

According to the NBI-NCR, the suspect allegedly took P3.5 million from the joint account of the victim and her mother.

They said the suspect and victim met on a dating application in September 2023.

The suspect supposedly described himself as single, even though he had three children and his wife was pregnant.

On June 3, the suspect allegedly called the victim and asked for help, claiming he got into an accident.

That was the last time the victim was seen.

After he was arrested, during the inquest, the suspect lunged at his Public Attorney's Office lawyer with a fork.

"After the interview, tumalikod ang PAO lawyer. Kumuha ng tinidor at susugurin ang PAO lawyer. But na-subdue siya ng kasamahan natin, nagtakubuhan ang  mga PAO lawyers. Nakita natin kung gaano ka-violent ang taong ito," said Vallejo.

The suspect was charged with kidnapping, serious illegal detention, carnapping, and violation of the Access Devices Act.

Meanwhile, Melican remains missing.

"Kung meron mang information na makakapagsabi kung saan siya, pls contact  NBI-NCR at agad po nating hahanapin itong victim," Vallejo said. — Sherylin Untalan/DVM, GMA Integrated News