Kidnap victim released in Zamboanga City

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A kidnap for ransom group freed their victim Sunday morning in a remote west coast village in Zamboanga City, an official said.

Senior Inspector Joseph Ortega, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9, said Michael Co, 27, was abandoned by his captors along the shorelines of Barangay Labuan, more than 30 kilometers west of this city. 

The freed victim, who is a son of a businessman, sustained a bullet wound on his right shin, had to walk to the nearby gas station where he was recovered by his family who brought him to a private hospital for treatment. 

The victim sustained his gunshot wound after he fought back with his captors during the abduction last April 1 inside their gas station office at Barangay Poblacion, Siocon town.

The kidnappers initially demanded P50 million ransom in exchange for the release of the victim. 

The police could neither confirm nor deny whether ransom was paid for the release of Co.

However, a source close to the family said P1.5-million was reportedly paid by the family to the kidnappers to immediately release Co due to his bullet wound.