Kidnapped trader released in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – A fish cage operator was freed by his kidnappers after 66 days in captivity in a remote village in Basilan Saturday night, authorities said.

The kidnappers reportedly released Vicente “Teng” Barrios, 60, after his family paid an unspecified “board and lodging” fee, a local euphemism for ransom.

Barrios was abducted last June 17 by armed men who posed as fishermen between the islands of Bisaya-bisaya and Panubigan in Barangay Bolong in this city’s eastern coast, where he operates fish cages that grow groupers for export. 

Lt. Steffani Cacho-Cimini, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command, said Barrios, corporate operator of Dragon Marine Products, was recovered at around 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Sitio Oval, Barangay Guiong in Sumisip, Basilan by Vice Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakalahul and elements of the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response and the 1st Marine Brigade.

Cimini, however, would not confirm if ransom was paid to Barrios’ kidnappers, who initially had demanded P2 million for the businessman’s release.

Barrios’ family earlier had requested the local crisis management committee to keep mum on the negotiations, as the kidnappers had threatened to harm him.

Police said Barrios looked haggard and tired when he was fetched and brought to a Basilan hospital for check-up Saturday night before he was reunited with his family yesterday.