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Wednesday, May 28, 2003
Koronadal kidnappers demand P4M
By Edwin G. Espejo
THE kidnappers of the son of a wealthy rice trader in Norala, South Cotabato are reportedly demanding P4 million for his release, the military said Tuesday.
Leoncio Buenafe Jr. was abducted in Koronadal city Sunday afternoon by unidentified armed men who reportedly brought him to Maitudumalig, Sarif Aguak in Maguindanao.
Several witnesses, however, said he was taken towards Isulan in Sultan Kudarat.
Brig. Gen. Agustin Dema-ala, commanding general of the 301st Brigade based in Sultan Kudarat, said the kidnappers contacted Buenafe's parents through the victim's mobile phone hours after the abduction.
Police recovered the silver gray Honda CRV sports utility vehicle of the victim abandoned along the national highway in Maitudumalig.
Recovered from Buenafe's car were his wallet, ATM and credit cards, and a permit to carry a firearm. Investigators also found two packs of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu weighing approximately 100 grams inside the vehicle.
Buenafe, who is separated from his wife, is reportedly a drug-dependent.
South Cotabato Police Provincial Director Senior Supt. Romeo Rufino could not be reached for comment, but police sources said they are looking into the possibility that the abduction was drug-related.
Dema-ala said that Buenafe was on his way home to Norala after dropping off his parents in Koronadal when the kidnappers flagged him down.
A certain Kumander Agila, a suspected leader of the notorious Pentagon kidnap for ransom gang is reportedly behind Buenafe's abduction, Dema-ala said.
(May 28, 2003 issue)
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