Trader rescued from kidnappers

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — Government troops rescued an engineer-businessman from his captors in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao yesterday.

The victim, 66-year-old Bravick Araral, who was snatched from his farm in Libungan, North Cotabato last month, was found tied to a tree by soldiers led by Lt. Col. Julieto Ando and Col. Felipe Tabas Jr., commander of the Army’s anti-crime Task Force Tugis.

Araral’s kidnappers apparently abandoned him after sensing that soldiers had started closing in on their lair in Barangay Baka, Datu Odin Sinsuat town.

Araral’s captors earlier had asked for P3-million ransom in exchange for his release.

A combined police-military team arrested three of his abductors during a payoff in Midsayap, North Cotabato last week.

Last Sunday morning, government troops, together with Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas, rescued spouses Felipe and Helen Lucañas, both teachers of the Mindanao State University-Lanao National College of Arts and Trades, in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur.