‘Duterte’ couple abducted in Zambo del Norte

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  – A couple surnamed Duterte were abducted by unidentified gunmen in the remote coastal village of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte on Friday, officials said.

Regional police spokesman Supt. Rogelio Alabata identified the couple as Jose Duterte and his wife Jessica.

Officials said Jose, a coconut farmer, is not related to President Duterte.

Seven gunmen wearing bonnets over their heads and clad in police uniforms dragged the couple to a waiting pumpboat and sped off towards unknown direction.

Siocon police commander Chief Insp. Joseph Reales Maulad said policemen joined the military in tracking down the gunmen and to rescue the couple.

Police investigator PO2 Siegfried de la Cruz said the Duterte couple were not from an affluent family and were just surviving tilling their own land with coconuts.

De la Cruz said they are looking into the possibility that the couple were kidnapped to force them to sell their land.

“The brains of the abduction might be from the same area and hired outsiders just to force the victims into selling their properties,” De la Cruz said.

The government however believes the Abu Sayyaf was behind snatch.

“They did it again in Zamboanga Sibugay last night (Friday),” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana though admitted he has yet to receive the full report about the latest kidnapping incident.