Kidnapped social worker freed in Lanao

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte — A rural development worker who was abducted at 8 a.m. on Monday in the hinterlands of Munai was released by his captors early yesterday morning.

Police sources identified the victim as Henry De Guzman, a community facilitator and project area coordinator of Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI), a project the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) being undertaken by Lanao Foundation Inc.

Police reports showed that De Guzman was scheduled to facilitate a municipal inter-barangay forum when four armed men snatched him at the boundary of Barangay Cadulawan and Tambo, Munai. The kidnappers later demanded a P350,000 ransom.

However, Lyndon Calica, acting Provincial Information Officer told The STAR that no ransom money was given to the abductors for De Guzman’s release.

The victim was reportedly brought to Barangays Pangao, Tamparan and Panta-on. Through the joint efforts of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Philippine Marines, police authorities and the community leaders in Munai and Kauswagan, the victim was released.

Military and police authorities identified the suspects as Abu Faisal Cotongan, Mama Tampugao, Metalicop Baksasar and a ceratin Repag, who are kown cattle rustlers.

Despite the incident, the provincial government of Lanao del Norte is still confident that they’ll get the chance to host the Palarong Pambansa in 2007. — With Roel Pareño