Troops rescue family kidnapped in Lanao Norte

From the Mindanao Examiner (Mar 8): Troops rescue family kidnapped in Lanao Norte

PAGADIAN CITY – Government troops rescued a woman and her four children following a running gun battle with kidnappers in the southern Philippines, officials said Friday.

Army Captain Randy Veracion, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division, said woman, Virginia Villacora, and her children were rescued safely in Lanao del Norte’s Maigo town, but the kidnappers managed to escape in the village of Mentering.

Veracion said the victims were seized by five gunmen Thursday morning in their house in Inoma village.

“A hasty pursuit operation and aided with the support of the civilian populace, the Army troopers were able to catch up with the kidnappers at around 5:00pm Thursday that triggered a firefight between the two groups.”

“Sensing that they were outnumbered and about to be cornered the kidnappers scampered to different directions leaving behind their captives. There were no reported casualties between the military and the abductors,” Veracion told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said the victims were handed over to the Maigo Municipal Police Station after the daring rescue operation. Authorities are still investigating the motive of the incident.

General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, the army division commander, lauded the soldiers for their quick response that led to the safe rescue of the victims.

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