Kidnapped resort owner freed

COTABATO CITY – Kidnappers freed yesterday, in exchange for a P300,000 “board and lodging,” a beach resort owner they kidnapped in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Shariff Kabunsuan 10 days ago.

Senior Superintendent Esmael Ali, Shariff Kabunsuan police director, said Jesus Perfecto Martinez, 49, also known here as “Boyeh,” was set free by his captors at 4 a.m. yesterday near the Cotabato City mega market area.

“The kidnappers earlier demanded P10 million but maybe because of our constant pursuit operations, they settled for a lower amount,” Ali said.

Ali said Martinez was reunited with his family at about 7 a.m. yesterday.

Martinez was driving his motorbike from his resort in Barangay Kusiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Shariff Kabunsuan when flagged down by gunmen in Barangay Mompong on Sept. 10.

Martinez owns the El Bimbo swimming resort in Barangay Kusiong, where his family also has a seaside coconut plantation.  – John Unson