3 kidnap victimsreleased in Lanao Sur

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – An engineer, his wife and their companion were freed in Lanao del Sur yesterday after being kidnapped and held captive for almost two weeks.

The still unidentified kidnappers released Franco Enot, his wife Loida and Danilo Bariga to a businesswoman, Hadja Johairah Macabuat, near the boundary of Madalum and Bacolod Kalawi towns at around 1:30 a.m., said Capt. Franco Suelto, spokesman for the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.

He said the three were seized in Ganasi town last Aug. 15.

The local government reportedly negotiated to secure the release of the victims. It was not immediately known if ransom was paid. 

The victims were brought to the provincial capitol in Marawi City, where they underwent a medical checkup and were reunited with their families.