Monday, October 15, 2007 No word still from missing chemist By Ben O. Tesiorna
POLICE are still facing a blank wall in the kidnapping of a chemist employed by a mining company in Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental, with no group claiming responsibility for the snatching of Edmundo Loreto.
Loreto was seen by witnesses being grabbed by armed men in a remote village in Governor Generoso last September 26.
The 50-year-old victim, a resident of Davao City, was taken while he was on his way to Davao City from the town of Governor Generoso, according to police records.
"We are still clueless on the identity of the kidnappers. Up to now, they did not make any ransom demand. The family of the victim is very worried that there was no ransom demand," said Chief Insp. Nemesio Dequia, chief of the operations division of the police provincial headquarters.
"We are looking at all angles whether it was indeed kidnapping or as a result of intense business rivalry. The victim worked as a chemist for a small-scale mining company in Governor Generoso town," Dequia added.
He said the victim's family is calling on the abductors to contact them so they will know the condition of the victim.
Dequia said the police are doing their best to solve the crime.
"I think this is the first such incident in Davao Oriental for this year," Dequia said.
Police Regional Office Director Andres Caro appealed to the media not to sensationalize the incident.
