Kidnap group frees Korean hostage

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A kidnap-for ransom gang released on Tuesday night their 73-year-old Korean hostage after 10 days in captivity in a town of Lanao del Sur.

Capt. Frank Suelto, spokesman of Army’s 1st Division, said Noui Hong Sung was recovered about 11 p.m. Tuesday near a detachment at Barangay Pawak, Saguiran town.

He said Police Superintendent Nickson Muksan, provincial director of Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office (LDSPPO), and other cops were conducting a pursuit operation when they spotted the victim near Pawak detachment. 

There was no information whether ransom was paid but unconfirmed information disclosed that the kidnappers directly negotiated with the family of the businessman, who was abducted last January 24 in R.T. Lim town, Zamboanga Sibugay province after having dinner with his son who is also a businessman in the area. 

Suelto said the victim was immediately turned over to Police Inspector Mike Duran of the Anti-Kidnapping Group Mindanao field office for debriefing.

The police described the victim in good condition and was subsequently brought to Iligan City where he was reunited with his family.