Kidnappers of 2 Chinese demanding $5-M ransom

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Authorities were confirming reports that the kidnappers of two Chinese businessmen in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay have demanded $5-million ransom in exchange for the victims’ safe release.

Senior Inspector Danilo Jore Pailden, Kabasalan police chief, said Task Force Lilo created to secure the recovery of hostages Yuankai Lin and Jian Luo, would tackle this information.

Yuankai and Jian, who hail from Guandong, China, had been engaged in buying iron ore for five years in Kabasalan town, when they were seized last June 4 by six armed men who barged into their rented house in Barangay F. L Peña.

Kabasalan Mayor George Cainglet said the kidnappers have reportedly contacted the victims’ families and demanded $5-million ransom.

Cainglet, however, said the victims’ kin told the captors that they could not produce such a huge amount and instead begged them to free the two.

Chief Superintendent Napoleon Estilles, Western Mindanao police director, said police teams were still locating the victims’ whereabouts in the Zamboanga peninsula for a possible rescue operation. 

Estilles earlier had released an artist’s sketch of one of the kidnappers.