Police recover abducted fishpond caretaker in Zambo Sibugay

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 5 (PNA) -- The police have safely recovered a fishpond caretaker seized by three gunmen in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, an official disclosed Thursday.

Senior Superintendent Roberto Roy Bahian, Zamboanga Sibugay police director, said the victim identified as Hervacio Flores, Jr., 44, of Barangay Gusawan, Siay municipality.

Bahian said Flores, who works as a fishpond caretaker, was safely recovered by patrolling policemen around 5:30 a.m. Thursday at Sitio Limono, Barangay Timuay Danda, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Bahian said they were informed by Flores that the latter was released at the mangrove area of Barangay Tihim-Tihim, Kabasalan town.

From there, Bahian said Flores walked until he reached Sitio Limono, Barangay Timuaya Danda where he was spotted by patrolling policemen.

He said Flores’ wife, Jina, 42, reported that three unidentified gunmen seized her husband around 1:20 a.m. Wednesday from their residence in Barangay Gusawan, Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay.

He said that the suspects demanded P200,000 ransom and threatened to kill the victim if their demand will not be met.

The ransom demand was relayed to Jina around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday through a mobile phone call.

Bahian did not mention in his report whether or not ransom was paid in exchange for the liberty of the fishpond caretaker. (PNA)
CTB/TPGJR/EDS