Kidnapped victims rescued by Army Troopers

By JONG CADION

MGen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III

MAIGO, Lanao Del Norte – The mother and her 4 children were kidnapped by 5 unidentified men heavily armed with long high powered firearms and wearing bonnet intercepted by the government troopers at the vicinity of Barangay Mentering, Lanao del Norte, Thursday afternoon less than 14 hours after the kidnapping incident.

During their hasty pursuit operations and due to the supports of the civilian populace, the elements of 15^th Infantry Battalion of the Army’s Premier (Tabak) Division led by Lt. Sagario was able to catch-up the fleeing abductors and encountered them that lasted for 15 minutes.

The abductors upon sensing that they were outnumbered and about to be cornered, they scampered to different directions leaving behind their captives. There were no reported casualties between the military and the abductors. The Army troopers immediately hand-over the family to Maigo Municipal Police Station for documentation and further investigation

The rescued victims were identified as Glen Villacora 9 year’s old, Keven Villacora 7 years old, Shane Mae Villacora 5 years old, Jay Ann Villacora and their mother Virginia Villacora. They were kidnapped Thursday 4:45 early morning on March 7, 2013 in Barangay Mahayahay, Maigo, Lanao del Norte.

Initial investigation disclosed that a band of five unidentified persons armed with M16 Armalite rifles attached with M203 and M14 rifles forcibly entered into the house of the victims in Brgy. Inoma of the same Municipality Thursday morning dragging them by foot all the way up to Brgy Mentering. Land dispute is believed to be the motive behind the kidnapping.  

 

Tabak Chief Major General Ricardo Renier Cruz III salute the people of Maigo town for their supports to the effort of our military men in the ground that leading to the rescue of the kidnapped victims.