MAR SABATE & JUNIX YARAG
Iligan News Desk
Kolambugan, LDN--Cattle rustlers, who turned kidnappers, take hostage 21 persons, including a 13-year old, using them as human shields when authorities pursued them in Brgy. Kulasihan.
The said cattle rustlers where cornered by police forces led by P/Insp. Elmer Robas early morning, Wednesday, last week, when the perpetrators made the hostage taking.
Board member Cassan Maquiling, Mayor Beltrand Lumaque and village chieftain Marlon Genobaten, negotiated with the suspects and subsequently got 19 of the victims were released at Sitio San Roque.
It was Maquiling, who keeps this paper informed of the updates of the incident, saying the victims were released 5:00 in the afternoon of the same day.
The victims were later identified by Lumaque as Pronio Taganas, Ciriaco Tompong, Marlon Canoy, Michael Canoy, Miguel Yorong, Frederick Harantilla—a grade 3 pupil, Aranie Olasiman, Eddie Monticillo of Barangay San Roque; Ramon Curay, Berto Obedencio, Jimmy Villarin, Johny Villarin, Ricky Orogan, Zozimo Danghil Jr., Bernie Malaay and a certain Drigo.
Four of those abducted came from Brgy. Palao. They were named Carlito Balrombon, Evelyn Ruelan, Arnie Ocenar and Robert Alabao.
Most of the hostages were farm workers and farmers, not students, as earlier reports indicated.
Nenita Matutina, a resident of San Roque, said that around 5:30 a.m., 10 armed men suddenly showed themselves and started confiscating the horses and carabaos around the village.
After then, the group then prevented everyone they meet from doing with his chore and took them as hostage.
Lumaque also said that as of press time, six persons are still missing and that he appealed to the kidnappers to release those missing ASAP.
Meanwhile, Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) head Atoy Macarambon likewise appealed to kidnappers for the release of the innocent civilians as he lauded the response of the officials and immediate rescue of the victims.