Cops still clueless on traders kidnappers

NORTH UPI, Maguindanao, Philippines – Investigators were still clueless on the identities of the Moro bandits who snatched a Filipino-Chinese trader here Saturday, in another attack that caused panic among businessmen here and in adjoining towns.

Four men, disguised as customers, seized So Ken Chew Mantigue, owner of the biggest grocery store here, and spirited her to the border of this town and Datu Odin, Maguindanao onboard a green getaway car parked nearby.

“They entered the victim’s establishment, grabbed her and forced her into the waiting car,” said Inspector Marjie Pajate, North Upi police chief.

Five armed men tried to kidnap Mantigue in 2001, but alert civilian volunteers and policemen foiled it, killing two of the suspects and arresting two others. – With Rose Tamayo-Tesoro