Indian trader escapes from captors in Lanao

LANAO DEL NORTE, Philippines –An Indian trader snatched in Parang, Maguindanao more than a month ago escaped from his captors late Friday at the border of Sultan Naga Dimaporo town this province and Pikong, Lanao del Sur.

The victim, Krishan Sing Arora, was seized by armed men in Landasan district in Parang town, about 70 kilometers southwest of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, last Nov. 13. His kidnappers earlier had demanded P10-million ransom from his family.

Senior Superintendent Madid Paicao, Lanao del Norte police director, said Arora, who was held captive in Pikong town, made a daring dash toward the nearest barangay in Sultan Naga Dimaporo while his five captors were asleep.

“He decided to escape when he sensed that all his captors were asleep,” Paicao said.

He said residents of Barangay Parika found the haggard and pale Arora, who is of pure Indian descent, wandering in a farm, seemingly disoriented.

“Barangay officials immediately took custody of him and reported to the police his presence in the area after learning from him that he was a kidnap victim,” Paicao said.

Arora was trying to reopen the mothballed Eversun plywood factory in Barangay Sarmiento east of Parang town when armed men, disguised as soldiers, snatched him last Nov. 13.

The plywood factory was originally owned by South Korean businessmen, but closed down about a decade ago due to management problems.

Paicao said they turned over Arora to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police at Camp S.K. Pendatun in Parang.