Kidnappers demand Php 100-M ransom each for barangay official, 2 coast guard men seized in Dapitan City

From the Philippine News Agency (May 19): Kidnappers demand Php 100-M ransom each for barangay official, 2 coast guard men seized in Dapitan City

The identities of the abductors of a barangay official and two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel in the nearby Zamboanga del Norte province two weeks ago remained unknown.

This, despite calls received by the victims' families demanding for huge amount of ransom in exchange for the release of the three captives.

The victims, namely Rodolfo Boligao, the barangay captain of Aliguay, SN1 Rod Pagaling and SN2 Gringo Villaruz were seized by gunmen at dawn on May 4 in Aliguay, an island barangay of Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.

Pagaling and Villaruz were stationed in Aliguay to monitor the arrival and departure of watercraft ferrying visitors since the island, located 10 nautical miles from the mainland, is one of the tourist destinations in Dapitan City.

Supt. Divin Ceriales, Dapitan City police chief, in an interview, said that the families of the captives confirmed the kidnappers contacted them through mobile phone last week.

Ceriales said that according to the victims’ families, the kidnappers have demanded Php100 million each in exchange for the release of the captives.

Ceriales added that the kidnappers also allowed the victims to talk to their families to ensure they were in good condition.

However, Ceriales said that the victims’ whereabouts were also unknown.

The Crisis Management Committee (CMC) is continuously working in coordination with the victims’ families to ensure the safety of the captives.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=763306