MSU budget officer abducted

Marawi City – The Philippine National Police are on hot pursuit to recover the kidnapped Mindanao State University budget officer who was abducted in Saguiaran town, Lanao del Sur recently, the police said.

PNP provincial director Senior Superintendent Panares Adap said the victim, Hipolito Miñoza, budget officer of MSU here, while on his way back to Iligan City on board his personal car, together with his wife, was waylaid by armed men in Saguiaran town, Lanao del Sur and later dragged to a waiting get-away car. The victim’s wife, Yolanda, an MSU college professor, was left unharmed inside their car.

No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, but the military blamed separatist MILF rebels.

However, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu denied the group was behind the kidnapping.

“Why blame us for everything? This is absurd and the MILF has nothing to do with the kidnapping, we are not kidnappers, but revolutionaries,” he said.

Panares said that the getaway car was found by pursuing policemen abandoned in Sitio Bubong, Saguiaran. The abductors with the victim, had already fled toward the mountainous and forested area in the said town.

At least three suspects from the place were picked up for questioning to determine the identity of the mastermind and the motive for the kidnap, according to the police.

Lanao del Sur provincial governor Mamintal Adiong Jr., cautioned the police operatives on hot pursuit to consider the safety of the victim even if the use of force is needed in the rescue operations. – Lino dela Cruz