Gunmen free DENR officer, wife

ZAMBOANGA CITY ,Philippines  – Gunmen freed a legal officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and his wife, a public school teacher, after holding them captive for four days in a town in Lanao del Sur, police officials said.

Police said there are reports that the victims were asked to pay P500,000 ransom in exchange for the release.

They still have a remaining balance amounting to P300,000 but their kidnappers held in their custody the service vehicle of the victims.

Police Director Felicisimo Khu, chief of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operation (DIPO) for Western Mindanao, identified the freed couple as Atty. Poroa Botawan Sangcaan, 57, legal officer of DENR Iligan City and his wife Bairah Datumanong Sangcaan, 53, a public school teacher.

Both are residents of Barangay Marawi Poblacion in Marawi City.

Khu said the victims were safely released about 9 p.m. Saturday at Barangay Mamaanun, Piagapo town, Lanao del Sur.

The victims were on board their service vehicle, a Toyota Adventure, when they were flagged down and abducted by four armed men last March 23 along Barangay Kalanganan, Pantar town, Lanao del Norte.

Khu said authorities believe that the motive of the kidnapping was election-related citing that the wife of Sangcaan rendered poll duties during the past elections.