Army, PNP launch manhunt against abductors of trader, friend

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 5): Army, PNP launch manhunt against abductors of trader, friend

Police and military authorities have launched manhunt against armed men who abducted Tuesday afternoon a trader and his companion along Gov. Gutierrez Avenue, Cotabato City, police said.

Senior Inspector Rowel Zafra, Cotabato City police spokesperson, identified the victim as TJ Tagadaya Macabalang, 30, owner and manager of Stickerwerkz and his friend, Wendel Apostol Factoral, 32, both residents of Krislamville, Barangay Rosary Heights 6, Cotabato City.

Macabalang is owner and proprietor of Stickerwerks, a tarpauline and sticker business. He is also engaged in motor vehicle buy and sell business.

Teng Macabalang, the trader’s father, told police his son was to meet a prospective buyer of a motorbike along Gov. Gutierrez Avenue at about 3 p.m. when gunmen forced them into a Toyota Innova despite their resistance.

The Innova fled to unknown direction followed by a van without license plates.

Zafra said the police only learned of the abduction at about 6 p.m. when the father reported the incident to Police Station 2.

“We are looking at many angles and possible motives of the abduction,” Zafra told reporters, adding that investigation is still going on.

The alleged abduction came despite an intensified campaign by the city police and Army Special Forces against loose firearms, illegal drugs and criminality.

In September last year, unidentified men also seized Ishmael "Micky" Imam Glang, 27, sticker and tarpaulin designer of Stickerwerkz. He was found dead 20 days later.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=928689