Grandfather of kidnap victim abducted

The grandfather of a kidnapped three-year-old child rescued by Muslim rebels in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao last week was himself abducted on the same day while negotiating for the victim’s release.

North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol has confirmed that Arthur Alcular, and his companion, identified only as Mr. Lim, were snatched by the kidnappers after learning that three-year-old Ralph Ashley Alcular had been rescued by MILF guerrillas.

"This is a very sad development. The kidnapped child is back with his family, but his grandfather and a friend who tried to negotiate for his release kidnapped themselves," Piñol said.

Piñol, now a staunch advocate of peaceful resolution of undue MILF-military confrontations in areas covered by the ceasefire, appealed to the front’s chairman, Al-Haj Murad, to help locate and rescue the elder Alcular and his companion.

The younger Alcular, whose mother, Divina, is an employee of a branch of the Rural Bank in Kidapawan City, was snatched last Aug. 23 by his own nanny, Hazel Tuala, and two unidentified men from a day-care school near their house.

Police investigators in Kidapawan City said they are certain that Tuala connived with the kidnappers in carrying out the child’s abduction. — John Unson