Casipong family paid ransom for teacher's release says Cong Lilia

From the Zamboanga Today (Mar 28): Casipong family paid ransom for teacher's release says Cong Lilia

The family of released kidnap victim Cathy May Casipong sold their family home to deliver the ransom payment demanded by kidnappers for the freedom of the abducted Zamboanga teacher.

Casipong met with  Zamboanga legislator Lilia Nuno last Sunday to discuss matters relative to the incident and her future career and personal plans.

Casipong's parents, who were present during the meeting, informed Nuno about the travails experienced by the family when Casipong was kidnapped last December.

In an interview, Nuno said that the parents of Casipong themselves admitted the sale of their family home in barangay Zambowood for at least P300,000 to help pay the ransom demanded by their daughter's abductors.

The abductors initially demanded P5-million for the release of Casipong but reportedly settled for a lower amount after negotiations with the victim's family.

Casipong was reportedly scheduled for release early March after family members relayed to kidnappers the availability of the P300,000 ransom payment obtained from the sale of their residential house and lot. 

Kidnappers however reneged on the deal and refused to hand over Casipong while demanding a higher amount as ransom payment.

Casipong was finally released on March 11 after family members delivered a higher amount as ransom payment to kidnappers. 

Nuno refused to state the actual amount paid. Sources however said that the ransom amounted to P500,000.

For his part, Casipong's father refused to comment on issues regarding the payment of ransom saying that threats on their daughter's safety are still present more than a week after the release.

In a press conference, Schools Division Superintendent Pedro Melchor Natividad said that Casipong had been accommodated as one of the beneficiaries in a government housing project in the east coast without commenting on the reported loss of the family home due to the payment of ransom by the CAsipong family.

The city government of Zamboanga maintains a "no ransom" policy for kidnap victims.

It will be recalled that Sibugtuk elementary school teacher Cathy May Casipong was abducted by unidentified men last December 19 while traversing the waters between Limaong island and the Vitali mainland in the east coast.

Casipong was released by her abductors at the Ipil bus terminal last March 11.
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