Zamboanga boat master's kidnappers demand P15-M

ZAMBOANGA City, Philippines - The group holding a fishing boat master captive in Sulu is demanding P15-million for the victim's release.

Relatives of kidnap victim Lucio Gonzales said that the kidnappers established contact on Wednesday and demanded the amount.

Gonzales, maestro patron (boat master) of the GMA and AMR fishing companies based in this city, was seized Tuesday morning by 15 gunmen on board two pumpboats in waters off Lantawan town in Basilan.

Authorities believe that the abductors brought Gonzales to Sulu.

The Basilan Provincial Police Offic has yet to confirm reports of the ransom demand.