2 kidnap victims freed in N. Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY - Two kidnap victims in North Cotabato were released unharmed, six days after they were forcibly snatched from their establishment in Libungan town, a local official said.

Libungan municipal mayor Manuel dela Cerna said there was no ransom paid for the release of Alma Cuan Datuwata, 70, owner of a gasoline station in Poblacion, Libungan, and her secretary, a certain Cristabel.

The victims, freed somewhere in the boundary of Libungan and Pikit towns in North Cotabato, were brought to their homes around 10 a.m., on Wednesday, the mayor said.

The release, he said, came through help from top Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commanders operating in the Liguasan marsh and Army soldiers in North Cotabato.

Reports said Datuwata and her secretary were abducted on October 4 while inside the Petron gasoline station owned by the Datuwatas of Libungan.

They were ordered to board a Toyota Grandia van and headed towards the marsh.

Before they boarded a motorized banca, the suspects torched the van.

Dela Cerna said he was assured no ransom was paid in lieu of the victims’ release.

"I was told the Datuwatas did not pay any ransom. I am thankful for the help of the MILF and the AFP for the safe return of the victims to their own families," the mayor said.