Trader kidnapped in Zamboanga; P80-million ransom sought

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – Gunmen kidnapped a Filipino-Chinese businessman in his shop Sunday afternoon in Barangay Sta. Maria, this city and demanded P80 million in ransom in exchange for his liberty, according to security officials.

The victim is a scrap trader and his family has other businesses in this city.

Mayor Celso Lobregat, crisis management committee chair, said the victim was taken from his Multi-line junkshop office in Villa Maria, Barangay Sta. Maria about 12:45 p.m. by five gunmen in civilian attires.

Lobregat said police investigation disclosed that two of the suspects posed as customers.

The unidentified suspects and other companions seized all the software of the closed circuit television in the shop and escaped using the victim’s own car, a KIA Sportage (JBZ-858).

“The family and workers who were there at the time of the incident were scared and did not immediately report the incident to authorities for fear of the safety of the victim,” Lobregat said.

Chief Superintendent Edwin Corvera, commander of Police Regional Office 9, said tracking police forces recovered the vehicle about 10 p.m. Sunday at Sitio Tala, Barangay Boalan, east of this city.

He said the local police knew only of the incident after receiving information of the kidnapping incident.

He said the victim’s family was hesitant to cooperate with the police citing that the kidnappers have warned them of the safety of the victim.

Lobregat said the family was also warned by the kidnappers not to allow the police to meddle in the incident.

“They were told na huwag isali ang dapat isali – meaning the authority,” Lobregat said.

An official, however, confirmed that the kidnappers called up the wife about 7 p.m. yesterday and demanded P80 million ransom in exchange for the liberty of the victim.

Both Lobregat and Corvera cannot confirm nor deny the ransom demand but believe that the motive of the abduction of the businessman was ransom.

Both officials however, confirmed that the kidnappers have already established contacts with the family of the victim .

“Huwag kayong mag-alala negosyo lang ito,” (Don’t worry, this is just business), Lobregat quoted part of the statement of the kidnappers to the victim’s family.

Corvera said all police units in Western Mindanao have been alerted on the possible presence of the kidnappers while initially allowing the victim’s family to peacefully deal for the safe release of the victim.

– With Jaime Laude