Kidnapped Zamboanga trader rescued

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Alert policemen here rescued a Chinese-Filipino businessman minutes after he was abducted Monday night, authorities said.

Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo, city police chief, said Tomas To, 65, owner of Totekso Furniture, was seized at around 10 p.m. by five armed men on board a public utility van and two motorcycles.

De Ocampo said To and a companion, also a Chinese-Filipino, were cruising Calle Waray in Barangay Tetuan on a motorcycle when the kidnappers blocked their path and dragged To to their van.

De Ocampo said the kidnappers took advantage of a blackout in the city to pull off the abduction.

To’s companion, whose name was withheld for security reasons, reported the incident to the nearby police station, which in turn alerted all police units across the city.

De Ocampo said the kidnappers’ lead motorcycle detected the presence of the police checkpoint in Barangay Tugbungan and immediately turned back.

However, he said police managed to approach the second motorcycle of the kidnappers, who were forced to pull over and jump from the van to escape, leaving behind To who also dashed for his freedom.

De Ocampo said To was rescued some 20 minutes after he was seized.

Investigation showed the kidnappers could be based in Basilan as their getaway van was found registered in Lamitan City.

De Ocampo declined to name the vehicle’s owner while the operation against the kidnappers is ongoing.