MANILA, Philippines - The Marawi City police chief who was abducted by suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was immediately freed by his captors after he was forcibly taken, the Philippine National Police said on Friday.
Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP public information office chief, said the kidnappers of Superintendent Christopher Panapan released the police official after negotiations with local executives, and police officers of Wato Balindong.
Sindac said that those who negotiated for the safe release of Panapan were ex-Mayor Benjamin Bagul, brother of incumbent mayor;, Vice mayor Edris Manalocal, Marawi City mayor Fahad Salic and several barangay officials of Wato Balindong.
Reports reaching the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City said that Panapan was forcibly taken by 40 armed men who raided the Marawi City police station around 12 midnight and rescued two of their detained colleagues.
The armed men chanced upon Panapan at the police station and decided to take along with them the police official, the reports said.
The gunmen were believed to be followers of MILF leader Commander Bravo, who has long been wanted the police for several crimes.