'Goodwill money' paid for nurse's release

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Kidnappers freed unharmed a young nurse they had held captive for more than two months after her family shelled out “goodwill money,” in Zamboanga Sibugay Monday night, police said.

Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo, city police chief, said Marycris Sogradiel Cuartocruz, 21, was released in an undisclosed village in Alicia town at around 6:30 p.m. Monday following negotiations initiated by her mother. 

De Ocampo escorted Cuartocruz’s mother in recovering her in Alicia and she was immediately brought to a hospital in Ipil town where she was declared in good condition. 

De Ocampo said the victim’s family denied having paid ransom, but he cited information that “goodwill money” was paid.

Cuartocruz was snatched by 10 men last Dec. 14 in the family residence in Barangay Manicahan in this city’s eastern coastal area and was brought to Zamboanga Sibugay. 

De Ocampo said the kidnappers belong to the same group which seized three teachers in Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay two years ago and a retired soldier in Manicahan town last year. 

Cuartocruz’s captors initially demanded P20-million ransom but lowered the amount to P3 million following her mother’s appeal.

Cuartocruz positively identified her captors, including an uncle who was arrested hours after the kidnapping.

De Ocampo said charges of kidnapping with serious illegal detention have been filed against the suspects.