I’m okay, kidnapped surgeon tells his wife

BATANGAS — "I’m okay, don’t worry."

With these words, Dr. Arturo Boa, a heart surgeon and feedmill owner, assured his wife, Aida, in a phone call yesterday, a day after he was snatched by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

"I’m just treating someone. I’ll be released soon," Aida quoted her husband as telling her. She did not elaborate.

Three men aboard a maroon car blocked the couple’s path in Barangay Taysan, San Jose town and at gunpoint, commandeered their Mitsubishi Lancer. Mrs. Boa was later released in Barangay San Sebastian in Lipa City.

The Boas had come from their poultry farm and were on their way home when they were held hostage.

There were reports that someone had called up the Boa residence and demanded a P10-million ransom in exchange for the release of 52-year-old Boa, the president of Busilac Feedmills.

Police, however, belied the reports, saying that Boa’s family did not receive such a phone call.

During their ordeal, the Boa couple reportedly offered P11,000 to their abductors who, in turn, rejected it, saying they merely wanted the doctor’s services to treat their sick and wounded comrades.

Investigator PO3 Luisito Timbol, in an interview with radio station dzRH, quoted Mrs. Boa as saying that one of the abductors introduced themselves as NPA guerrillas.

The Boas’ Mitsubishi Lancer was found abandoned in Tayabas, Quezon, a known NPA stronghold.

Chief Inspector Ruel Esparas, San Jose police chief, however, said they were still looking into all angles of the abduction.

"I cannot pinpoint any group yet, but we will not leave any stone unturned in this case," he said.