Kidnapped trader still alive — Solon

A Filipino-American businessman kidnapped three months ago is believed to be still alive and was allegedly sighted in the vicinity of Mamburao and Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro together with his abductors, a congresswoman told The STAR yesterday.

Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez-Sato said that according to reports reaching her office, Anthony Lehmann’s kidnappers were believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and that the group was mobile.

However, Lehmann's wife Kristine told The STAR that there were many reports in the past that proved to be wrong. "I don't know how true the report is," she said.

Authorities are leaving no stone unturned in rescuing Lehmann, who was kidnapped by suspected rebels in the Westmont resort in Barangay Fatima in Mamburao last Dec. 29.

In a separate interview, SPO3 Romeo Prado, of the San Jose police, said the Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response (PACER) is now in charge of the case.

President Arroyo has assured Mrs. Lehmann that the government has been fully investigating the case. Mrs. Arroyo even ordered Philippine National Police chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane to exert all efforts to locate the kidnapped businessman.

Sato described Lehmann as "instrumental" in attracting foreign investments to Occidental Mindoro, saying his abduction was a severe blow to the provincial campaign to increase its share of foreign investments.

Before he was abducted, Lehmann, 42, and his family were preparing for the New Year celebration in their resthouse in Mamburao town, 32 kilometers from Abra de Ilog. One of the Lehmanns’ farm helpers was also kidnapped.

The kidnappers, wearing brand-new boots and fatigue uniforms, overpowered the resort’s security guards, took Lehmann and his helper and escaped aboard Mrs. Lehmann’s car, which was later found abandoned about 10 kilometers from the resort.