Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Kidnapped salesman freed in Mindanao


MARAWI CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 14, 2010) – A kidnapped paint salesman was freed by his captors on Tuesday after three days being held hostage in the restive southern region of Mindanao in the Philippines, officials said.

Officials said a relative of the gang leader negotiated for the safe release of Edgar Cuajao who was kidnapped in Cagayan de Oro City last week. Cuajao, 27, was freed in Lanao del Sur province and is now in the custody of the police.

Authorities had tagged Ali Dagalangit as the alleged leader of the gang that held Cuajao, but it was unknown if ransom was paid for the release of the salesman.

Another gang also freed two students Shiela May Vidal, 18, and Alcger Baricuatro, 19, who were both kidnapped December 7 in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

The victims were freed in the town of Piagapo also in Lanao del Sur.

The military previously said troops had located the hideout where the kidnappers were holding the hostages and that the leaders of the gang had been identified as Salik Muslimen and Machol Sabtulah. (With a report from Merlyn Manos)

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