Gunmen free 3 Zambo village execs 7 hrs after abduction

MANILA, Philippines - The three barangay officials abducted by unidentified armed men in Gutalac, Zamboanga del Norte on Tuesday afternoon have been released, a local official said Wednesday.

Gutalac Vice Mayor Lolito Miraveles said that the three barangay officials, whose names were not immediately revealed by the authorities, were released by their captors at around 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Miraveles said that they are planning to file a case against a police officer, who is allegedly involved in the barangay officials' abduction.

The three barangay officials were snatched by balaclava-wearing gunmen in Barangay New Dapitan at around 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Earlier reports said that the three victims were forced into a car marked Philippine National Police markings.

Miraveles said that they abduction of the three victims could have been related to local politics and the upcoming local elections.