Kidnapped Ozamiz trader rescued

MANILA, Philippines – A police strike force in Misamis Occidental rescued Thursday a trader abducted by members of a kidnapping and robbery group posing as policemen in Ozamiz City.

Superintendent Edgar Daniel, commander of the 1005th Provincial Mobile Group based in Ozamiz, said 42-year-old Ariel Vecoy was rescued unharmed despite the heavy gunfire between his men and the kidnappers.

Vecoy’s successful rescue also led to the arrested two of the five suspects belonging to the Canastra kidnapping and robbery group.

Daniel identified the two arrested suspects as Allan Canastra said to be the leader of the group and Christopher Kalaroc. The two were cornered at Barangay Mulikay, Ozamiz City. Their two cohorts managed to evade arrest.

The fully armed suspects, posing as policemen aboard a colored red car snatched Vecoy at his hog and poultry farm in Barangay Bicolo, Jimenez town late Thursday afternoon on the guise of questioning him for alleged criminal violations.

On their way out of the farm the suspects used the victim’s Toyota Hi-Lux as their get-away vehicle. However, the abduction was immediately reported by Vecoy’s unnamed wife to the local police.

“When we received the alarm, we immediately conducted pursuit operations and we were able to catch up with the group while on their way to Ozamiz City,” Daniel said.

Daniel said the suspects who were armed with baby armalites, Ingram sub-automatic and handguns fought it out triggering an exchange of gunfire.

But sensing that they were about to be concerned, the suspects abandoned Vecoy inside his vehicle and escaped.

“Pero na corner namin yong dalawa at nabawi namin yong biktima na nakagapos pa at nakabusal ng masking tape ang bibig sa loob ng kanyang kotse,” Daniel said.

The suspects are now detained at the Misamis provincial jail for kidnapping and robbery-in-band charges, Daniel said.