Zamboanga coed kidnapped

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Armed men believed to be members of the syndicated kidnap-for-ransom gang (KFRG) kidnapped Friday night the 19-year-old daughter of a businessman in this city and demanded P2 million for the victim’s safe release, military and police authorities reported here yesterday.

The kidnappers has given the family of Joy Marie Lim until Tuesday to comply with their demand in exchange for the victim’s freedom, according to Zamboanga City Police director Supt. Mario Yanga.

Yanga said the suspects used Lim’s cellphone in relaying their ransom demand. However, the police official could not say if the kidnappers have threatened the victim’s family if they fail to deliver within four days.

Lim, a BS Management student of Ateneo de Zamboanga University and daughter of Bonifacio and Nida Lim, owner of Jaymart Store and Aero Transport Bus, was seized by an armed man in front of the campus along La Purisima street around 7:45 p.m. Friday.

Yanga said crack police and intelligence unit are still searching for the safehouse of the suspects where they kept the female captive.

"Our barangay intelligence were already alerted to monitor presence of the suspects in their respective areas," Yanga said. — Roel Pareño