ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Gunmen kidnapped a Filipino-Swiss businessman at a private beach resort on the west coast of this city last night.
Zamboanga City police director Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo said Charlie Reith, who is in his 70s, was forcibly taken from his beach house by eight fully armed men at 8 p.m.
De Ocampo said the gunmen also took Reith’s bodyguard.
However, the bodyguard managed to escape and reported the incident to the police. The name of the aide was withheld.
De Ocampo said the kidnappers dragged Reith into one of three waiting pump boats.
“There is information on the direction they were headed and a pursuit is being conducted,” he said.
Zamboanga City Rep. Erbie Fabian, who is a friend of Reith, confirmed the kidnapping.
“He is a prominent civic leader and a governor of the Rotary Club,” Fabian said.
He appealed to the abductors not to harm the captive, whom he described as sickly.