Poll Official Rescued From Kidnap Gang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, 1 August 2003 — Police and soldiers have rescued an official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Lanao del Sur province, officials said yesterday. Chief Supt. Acmad Omar, commander of police forces in the Autonomous Region Muslim of Mindanao (ARMM), said Casan Laguindab was rescued around 4 p.m. Wednesday in the village of Piksan in Calanugas town, near where 109 gunmen abducted him earlier in the day. Police stormed the kidnappers’ lair and brief firefight ensued until the gunmen abandoned the victim. Omar said the police are investigating the motive of the kidnapping. Two motorcycle gunman on Tuesday also shot and wounded an election official and his companion in Cotabato City.