Search on for SK officer seized in Zambo Sibugay

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The police have launched a search and rescue operation for a Sangguniang Kabataan officer who, along with her fiancé, was abducted by armed men believed to be members of the kidnap-for-ransom gang in a coastal village in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay the other day, police said.

Still being held captive is Iris Sarmiento, 18, Sangguniang Kabataan federation president, while her fiancé, Safari Basa, 19, the SK chairman of Barangay Kulasian, was freed earlier, according to Senior Superintendent Roseller Arieta, Zamboanga Sibugay police director.

Arieta said the two SK officers were riding tandem on a motorcycle when they were flagged down by armed men in Barangay Silal at about 5 p.m. last Monday.

The two were tied up and taken to a mangrove swamp where a getaway pumpboat was waiting for the kidnappers, he said.

The armed men later released Basa who, in turn, immediately reported the incident to the Payao police.

There were intelligence reports that the kidnappers were headed toward this city.

Arieta said police were investigating all angles in the abduction, including kidnapping for ransom.

Sarmiento’s family, however, has not yet received any ransom demand.

"We cannot also discount the possibility that this is a case of a runaway bride because the two are scheduled to be married," Arieta said.