Troops search for kidnapped Maguindanao trader

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 16, 2010) – Philippine troops on Tuesday continue their hunt for gunmen who kidnapped an elderly wealthy Filipino-Chinese gas depot owner in the troubled island of Mindanao, officials said.

Officials said pursuing troops clashed with the gang holding Rodolfo Chio, 70, in Maguindanao’s Datu Piang town. Chio was seized inside his depot by five armed men over the weekend.

“The kidnappers managed to escape using a pump boat and crossed Rio Grande River towards Midsayap (town) in North Cotabato province,” said Army Captain Razeleigh Bansawan, a spokesman for the 6th Infantry Division.

Bansawan did not say if any of the soldiers or kidnappers were killed or wounded in the fighting. But other reports claimed that one of Chio’s captors was shot and killed and that the body was retrieved by security forces.

No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, but the gang was reportedly demanding at least P5 million ransoms for the safe release of the hostage. (Mindanao Examiner)