Friday, August 28, 2009

Gunmen kidnapped ex-mayor grandson in Zamboanga province

ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 28, 2009) – Security forces mounted an operation Friday to track down a grandson of a former southern Philippine town mayor kidnapped by gunmen in Zamboanga del Norte province, officials said.

Officials said four gunmen seized Jayjay Uy Capili late Thursday afternoon in the coastal village of Baybay in Liloy town. “We are exerting efforts to rescue Jayjay Uy Capili,” said Major Ramon David Hontiveros, a regional military spokesman.

He said 19-year old Capili is a grandson of Belchu Uy, a former mayor of Liloy. “The victim was brought towards Sitio Lawis in the village of Baybay and transferred to a motorized pump boat,” the spokesman told the Mindanao Examiner.

Hontiveros said two other motorized boats with gunmen onboard were reported escorting the Capili’s boat.

No group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, but bandits and Moro rebels are actively operating in the province.

Other reports said at least 6 gunmen kidnapped Capili near a gas depot in the village and dragged him to the shore where three motorized boats were waiting. (Mindanao Examiner)

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