Kidnapped trader rescued

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Soldiers and policemen, along with local leaders and their armed followers, rescued yesterday a 22-year-old Filipino-Chinese trader who was kidnapped in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao last week.

Col. Ernesto Aradanas, commander of the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade, said the efforts of local leaders, including Datu Tucao Mastura who belongs to a powerful clan in Maguindanao’s adjoining towns of Sultan Kudarat and Sultan Mastura, helped pave the way for the rescue of Christopher Yap.

Yap was snatched by armed men led by one Tanto Ali at his copra warehouse in Barangay Limbo, Sultan Kudarat town last week.

Aradanas said Yap and his captors were spotted Tuesday in Mariga Lupa, a secluded area in Parang, Maguindanao, by villagers, who in turn informed local leaders about it.

Aradanas said Yap’s kidnappers first kept Yap at the boundary of Sultan Mastura and Sultan Kudarat, and transferred him to Parang town two days before his rescue.

Aradanas said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, through its ceasefire panel, also helped in the rescue.

“There was strong coordination among the sectors that helped rescue Mr. Yap. Thanks to all, he has been reunited with his family,” he said.

Aradanas said Tanto and his followers are now being hunted.