Abducted NV trader rescued

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Police rescued a 70-year-old Chinese-Filipino businessman last Wednesday, seven hours after he was snatched by armed men near his residence in Bagabag town.

Chief Inspector Oller Molina, Bagabag police chief, said at least four men, brandishing Armalite rifles and caliber .45 pistols, seized businessman Lawrence Ang as he was alighting from his Hi-Lux Toyota pick-up at his Unioil refueling station in Barangay Quirino at about 9:30 p.m. the other day.

Molina said they pursued the kidnappers immediately after they were informed about the kidnapping.

Backed by operatives of the Provincial Mobile Group, Molino’s group spotted the kidnappers’ vehicle abandoned in a forested area about 500 meters from the national highway in Diadi town.

Hours later, the policemen saw Ang coming down from a hill. Molina said Ang managed to escape from his abductors.

Quoting Ang, police said the kidnappers had demanded a P50-million ransom for his release. — Charlie Lagasca