Kidnapped fishpond caretaker freed

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A fishpond caretaker seized by at least three gunmen at his residence in Zamboanga Sibugay was freed on Thursday, an official said yesterday. 

Hervacio Flores Jr., caretaker of the fishpond run by Goodyear Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative, was released after his captors sensed that police officers and soldiers were pursuing them, said Chief Superintendent Edgar Basbas, Police Regional Office 9 director. 

Flores was abandoned by his captors at a mangrove area in Barangay Tihim-tihim.

The suspects barged into Flores’ house in Barangay Gusawan, Siay town on Tuesday night and initially demanded lobsters from the farm. Since there was no catch that day, they called Flores’ superior Rolando Diaz and demanded a P200,000-ransom.

Basbas said Siay police chief Senior Inspector Rustom Borres Romina, who intercepted the information, sought the assistance of the 44th Infantry Battalion to launch pursuit operations.

Police are still investigating if the suspects are members of a kidnapping syndicate.