|
Tuesday, April 29, 2003
Mindanao university prof freed by captors
CAGAYAN DE ORO -- After a couple of months in captivity, a Mindanao State University (MSU) professor abducted in Marawi City was finally set free last Sunday, military sources said Monday.
Rhede Nelson Manulat, 46 years old and a resident of Iligan City, was kidnapped by lawless elements last February 26 but was released to the authorities only last Sunday evening.
Manulat, who was presented to the media Monday, said he does not know whether negotiators paid a ransom for his freedom.
"Dili nako mahibawan kay sila raman adto," he said. (I don't know, as I had no hand in the negotiations.)
Manulat said he believed those who abducted him were bandits but admitted he is not sure if he can recognize them again or if they have links to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The professor was presented to Southern Command Chief Major Gen. Roy Kyamko when he visited the 4th Infantry Division at Camp Evangelista in Barangay Patag.
Manulat said Kyamko vowed to get to the bottom of the incident and has assigned 4th ID Maj. General Cristolito Balaoing to investigate the abduction.
Earlier, Manulat's wife Flora Tejano appealed to President Arroyo to help in the safe release of her husband.
P2 million ransom
A P2-million ransom was also reportedly demanded by the bandits who took Manulat while he was coordinating a rehearsal of MSU students for the 40th founding anniversary of the MSU College of Business Administration.
Student witnesses recounted how the men armed with pistols and wearing uniforms issued to members of their university's Peace Keeping Force took Manulat around 11 p.m.
They said the kidnappers were former university security guards.
Manulat's abduction occurred some five hours after another group kidnapped three other MSU students: Rey Anne Cericas and Maritess Ngojo. The third one was unidentified.
The students were set free the following day after Balindong Mayor Benjamin Bagul talked with the abductors.
Meanwhile, MSU president Camar Umpa immediately formed a task force to negotiate with the kidnappers for the professor's freedom.
Manulat thanked Umpa for this along with local government officials led by Iligan City Mayor Franklin Quijano and Marawi City Mayor Ali Solitario who he said were "instrumental" in his release.
The ongoing combat operations of the 401st Infantry Brigade led by Col. Ernesto Boac and Task Force Diamond IV in the Lanao provinces also played significant role in the release of Manulat. Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro
(April 29, 2003 issue)
Want Sun.Star news on your mobile phone? Click here.
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
 |
| click
to comment on this article or discuss it with other readers |
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Fear of Sars bugs burial of patient