CEBU CITY, Philippines — A kidnapping case in Consolacion, Cebu has taken a grim turn after authorities arrested two key suspects and identified two other persons of interest in the abduction of a 57-year-old man whose body was later found in the mountains of Cebu City.
The arrests came after an intensive, multi-agency hot pursuit operation launched following the reported abduction of Leo Leaño, a resident of Barangay Nangka, Consolacion.
Leaño was reportedly abducted on Thursday, September 3, while he was on his way to watch a cockfight in neighboring Barangay Pulpogan.
Police said CCTV footage captured Leaño riding his motorcycle before stopping along the road. A man wearing black allegedly approached him, after which he was forcibly taken away.
The footage reportedly also captured Leaño pleading with his abductors.
Investigators believe the suspects used a red vehicle during the abduction.
Hours later, Leaño was found dead
The search for Leaño ended tragically when his body was discovered at around 2:05 p.m. on September 3 along a roadside in Sitio Morga, Barangay Sudlon 1, a mountainous area of Cebu City.
Police found him with gunshot wounds to the head and body. His wrists were reportedly tied in front of him using a cord commonly used for tethering fighting cocks.
The circumstances surrounding the killing prompted investigators to examine whether the incident could have been a planned killing disguised as an abduction.
However, authorities have yet to establish the motive behind the crime.
Investigation crosses city and provincial lines
The case has required coordination between the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) because the alleged abduction occurred in Consolacion, which falls under the provincial police jurisdiction, while Leaño’s body was discovered in Cebu City.
CCPO chief Police Colonel Ricky Sumalde ordered investigators to intensify the probe and pursue the suspects.
Police also traced and located the vehicle believed to have been used in the incident, providing investigators with another potential piece of evidence.
Two suspects arrested in Cebu City
The latest development reported by Cebu Daily News is the arrest of two key suspects in separate areas of Cebu City, including Ermita and Cogon Pardo, following the hot pursuit operation.
Authorities have also identified two other individuals allegedly linked to the incident.
The arrests represent a major development in the investigation, which was still in its early stages when police initially located Leaño’s body and identified the red vehicle allegedly involved.
Authorities have not publicly established the full roles of all four individuals, and allegations against the suspects remain subject to investigation and due process.
Family seeks justice
Leaño’s family has called for justice as investigators work to establish exactly what happened between the time he left home and when his body was discovered.
According to reports, Leaño had simply told his family that he was going to watch a cockfight—an activity he reportedly did for recreation.
His wife said the family had noticed a red vehicle repeatedly passing through their area in the days before the incident but did not initially think it was connected to Leaño.
Investigators are now expected to piece together CCTV footage, vehicle information, witness accounts and other evidence to determine who planned the abduction, why Leaño was targeted and what happened between Consolacion and Sudlon 1.
The CCPO has vowed to pursue the case thoroughly and gather sufficient evidence for the filing of appropriate charges.
The biggest question now: What was the motive behind Leaño’s abduction—and why did the suspects allegedly take him from Consolacion to a remote area of Cebu City?
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.S
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