Chinese trader abducted

COTABATO CITY – Heavily armed men kidnapped yesterday a Chinese trader in the town proper of Upi, a hinterland town in Maguindanao, breaking a two-week lull in kidnapping activities in Central Mindanao.

Citing initial reports from Upi, Maj. Elmer Estilles, spokesman of the Marine-led Mindanao Area 1 Unit here of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF), said the businessman, Arthur Yap, was snatched by gunmen inside his house and dragged to a getaway vehicle.

The vehicle was later found abandoned in the Kamansawi District, not far away from the town proper.

Datu Michael Sinsuat, mayor of Upi and known for his iron-fisted policy in dealing with lawless elements in his town, said policemen and civilian volunteers are now hot on the trail of the kidnappers.

"We have asked help from the traditional and religious leaders in Upi to help secure the release of the victim without any ransom," Sinsuat said.

According to Estilles, the businessman’s relatives have not received any ransom demand from the kidnappers, some of whom are suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.