Cop uses own car to chase kidnappers, rescue businesswoman

From ABS-CBN (Jun 18): Cop uses own car to chase kidnappers, rescue businesswoman

Police in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay rescued a businesswoman hours after she was abducted in her residence in Barangay San Jose, Imelda town past 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Imelda municipal police station Chief Insp. Jervie Alonzo said five armed men forcibly entered the house of Kathy Grace Cunting and took the businesswoman.

The suspects tied the hands of Cunting's mother and other relatives.

They also took some of the family's personal belongings and even ordered Cunting to drive their car, which the suspects used as their getaway vehicle.

The abductors drove towards the direction of adjacent Kabasalan town.

Police were immediately alerted and established blocking points along the highway. They, however, failed to stop the vehicle of the suspects.

Alonzo, who was then driving his personal car, chased the suspects and bumped their getaway vehicle, prompting the abductors to stop.

The abductors then abandoned the car and fled on foot bringing along with them the victim.

Police engaged the suspects in a gun battle for a few minutes, which prompted them to leave Cunting behind while trying to escape.

Alonzo said they were able to rescue Cunting unharmed.

Cunting's family owns some businesses in Imelda town which include a lending firm.
Alonzo said they were not aware of any kidnapping threat on the Cunting family.

TWO SHOT IN CROSSFIRE

Kabasalan Mayor George Cainglet said the abductors also shot two civilians in Sitio Punawan, Barangay Santa Cruz, amid the hot pursuit operations of government forces.

One of the civilians, identified as 50-year-old Danny Gulmatico, died on the spot after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. His companion, 19-year-old Chrisian Cortel, survived the attack.

The hot pursuit operations ended late Wednesday night, with no suspects arrested or neutralized.

Police are still investigating what group the five armed men are affiliated with.

Last March 5, two teachers were abducted off Talusan municipality. One of the teachers was later released in Sulu province on May 14.


On April 6, Naga Mayor Gemma Adana was also abducted by alleged members of Abu Sayyaf Group.

Zamboanga Sibugay police provincial director Sr. Supt. Bayani Gucela said the abductors of Adana have demanded P10 million from the victim's family in exchange for her release.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/06/18/15/cop-uses-own-car-chase-kidnappers-rescue-businesswoman