Lanao Norte armed men free 2 of 3 hostages

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – Armed men freed unharmed two of three men they seized in a village in Lanao del Norte last Wednesday, a military spokesman said.

Lt. Col. Randolf Cabangbang, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, said engineer Boyet Alumbro and Edgar Gomez were released separately in Baloi town barely an hour after they were snatched in Barangay Samboron, Linamon town.

Still being held captive was a certain Alexander Lim.

Investigation showed that the three men were heading toward Cagayan de Oro City when their Toyota Fortuner was flagged down by armed men wearing Philippine National Police shirts.

Cabangbang said the armed men commandeered the victims’ vehicle and sped off toward Lanao del Sur with their three hostages.

Police and military forces launched a pursuit operation yesterday after civilians reported that a vehicle was torched in Timbangalan village in Marawi City. The burned vehicle turned out to be the victims’ Toyota Fortuner.

There has been no reported demand yet from the kidnappers, the military said.