Surigao execs hopeful Japanese freed soon

SURIGAO CITY — Surigao del Sur officials are hopeful that a Japanese businessman abducted in Lanuza town Thursday night, would be freed within soon as negotiations for his release are ongoing.

This, as Gov. Vicente Pimentel Jr. has offered a reward for information on the whereabouts of Yazumitzu Yazuda Hashiba, 48, who was snatched in Barangay Bunga, Lanuza town, some 155 kilometers southeast of this city.

Chief Superintendent Alberto Rama Olario, Caraga police director, has stood firm on the government’s no-ransom policy but told a radio interview that he was "open" to Hashiba’s family negotiating with his captors.

Police suspect that a local organized crime group, called the "Kiking Salahi," was behind the kidnapping. Olario refused to comment on reports that the abductors have demanded a P3-million ransom.

The abduction has dismayed provincial authorities, saying it might affect their efforts to promote the tourism potentials of Surigao del Sur which boasts of white sand beaches.

But provincial administrator Johnny Pimentel said the incident was an isolated one and hopefully, would not dampen the promising local tourism industry.

The town of Lanuza, he said, has been identified by local and foreign surfers as an alternative surfing destination to Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte.

Hashiba, his wife and friend Mercidita Batiancila were snatched by five men, armed with short firearms and wearing ski masks, from their residence in Barangay Bunga at about 7:30 p.m. last Thursday.

The kidnappers demanded P50,000 cash and personal belongings from Lopo and fled with her, her husband and Batiancila aboard their Toyota Corolla.

Police reportedly found Lopo and Batiancila in the car in Sison, Surigao del Norte, some 130 kilometers from Lanuza and 17 kilometers from this city. — With Roel Pareño