ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits are demanding P15 million for the release of a Filipino-Chinese businesswoman they seized in Jolo, Sulu Sunday.
Pawnshop operator Hadja Dingkim Yap, 58, was snatched by six unidentified armed men at her shop in Barangay Chinese Pier at around 12:30 p.m., said Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command.
Yap was preparing to attend a court hearing in this city when she was seized.
Muyuela said the suspects dragged the victim into a Tamaraw FX van without license plates and fled toward Patikul town.
The police and military launched a pursuit operation to rescue the victim.
The victim’s relatives said the kidnappers contacted them Sunday night, asking for P15 million as ransom.
Rear Admiral Reynaldo Yoma, commander of the Joint Task Group Zambasulta, said the kidnapping occurred as government forces were stepping up security in other areas.