Gunmen seize 3 grandchildren of Zambo Sur town mayor

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?&sid=6&pfn=749673&arch=1&go=Go&search_arch=Pagadian%20City,%20Zamboanga%20del%20Sur&andor=and&mdte_arch=4&ddte_arch=0&ydte_arch=2015

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, April 1 (PNA) – Police and military forces are hot on trail of 10 gunmen, believed to be kidnappers, who seized three grandchildren of a top official in the nearby town of Pitogo, this province.

Senior Superintendent Sofronio Ecaldre, police provincial director, said the gunmen seized the children and used them as human shield when they engaged responding policemen in a shootout around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Poblacion, Pitogo.

Ecaldre identified the children as Ace Jay Garban, 3; Zynielle Jay Garban, 2; and Ledegie Tomarong, 17, all grandchildren of Pitogo Mayor Richard Garban.

Prior to the shootout, Ecaldre said the gunmen arrived aboard on two motorized bancas that docked at the fish port of Pitigo town and rushed towards the residence of Chzarenia Kapa Sajulga, a businesswoman.

Ecaldre said the gunmen tried to abduct Sajulga, their primary target, but failed since the businesswoman managed to run and locked herself in a room.

He said the policemen rushed to the residence of Sajulga where a shootout ensued.

However, he said the gunmen made good their escape as they grabbed the three children, who were at the fish port, and made them as human shields that prevented the policemen from further pursuing them.

He said the gunmen fled towards the direction of the nearby province of Zamboanga Sibugay.

He said they have already coordinated with the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Office for a joint effort in locating the whereabouts of the victims. (PNA)
JBP/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION