Cops probe kidnapping of 4 traders

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Authorities are checking reports that four businessmen from General Santos City have been kidnapped in Shariff Aguak town here.

Officials of the Provincial League of Municipal Mayors (PLMP) said they do not have information on the alleged kidnapping of Jason Cababayao, Rho Steven, Francis Wong and Raulito Suyom Jr. last March 29.

“There are no reports about that incident in the blotters of 36 police stations in all of Maguindanao’s 36 towns,” a PLMP member said.

Captain Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said none of their officers in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat were aware of any such incident.

“We’ve been hearing about that story since March 29, but we don’t have any confirmation yet as to its veracity,” Petinglay said.

Senior Superintendent Rolen Balquin, chief of the Cotabato City police, was said to have revealed that the four businessmen were on their way to Cotabato City when they were seized by armed men.

Senior Superintendent Rudelio Jocson of the Maguindanao police office said that it should be the police’s Anti-Kidnapping Group in Region 12 that should speak on the issue, since it allegedly involved residents of General Santos City.

“We abide by command communication protocols,” Jocson said.

The Maguindanao police office is located a kilometer away from the Cotabato-General Santos Highway, which cuts through ShariffAguak.

Balquin had reportedly said that Cababayao, whose family owns a construction supply firm in General  Santos City, and his three business partners were in a pickup truck when they were flagged down by their kidnappers.