Kidnapped Korean freed in Southern Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Feb 4): Kidnapped Korean freed in Southern Philippines

Filipino gunmen have freed a South Korean mining executive after nearly three weeks in captivity in troubled Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines, officials told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner on Wednesday.

Officials said Sung Ki Yoon, who was kidnapped in Lanao del Sur province, had been recovered by policemen late Tuesday after villagers in Saguiran town reported to authorities about his presence.

Police handed over the foreigner to his family members who were waiting for him in Iligan City, but it was not immediately known how much ransom was paid for his freedom.

Officials said the police were investigating the kidnapping and would not say who were behind it or if Abu Sayyaf rebels or rogue members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front were involved.

The Korean was with a Filipino policeman who is his friend when three gunmen flagged down their car and snatched the foreigner. They were heading to Marawi City to meet with prospective mining partners when the kidnapping occurred. The officer was not harmed by the gunmen.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

Army Captain Franco Suelto, a spokesman for the 1^st Infantry Division, said troops were helping policemen in the hunt for the kidnappers.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2015/02/kidnapped-korean-freed-in-southern.html