MANILA, Philippines - A 40-year-old Filipino-Chinese businesswoman who was kidnapped in Cotabato City last April 1 was released in Maguindanao before dawn yesterday.
The kidnap victim, Jinky Yap, who was snatched by armed men from her establishment in Sinsuat, Cotabato City, was freed in Barangay Tamobonan, Talayan town.
Police said Yap looked pale and thin when lawyer Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, Cotabato City administrator, fetched her in Talayan.
Yap was presented to Cotabato City Mayor Japal Guiani and later brought to a family physician for checkup.
A source said Yap’s family paid an undisclosed ransom in exchange for her release.
Kidnappers earlier had demanded P15-million ransom but police said this was reduced to P500,000.
Another Filipino-Chinese trader, Adin Yu, was also kidnapped last Jan. 8 in front of the Estosan Garden Hotel, also in Cotabato City.