ZAMBOANGA CITY, 4 April 2004 — Security forces have rescued a trader after more than four months in captivity in the hands of bandits, police and military officials said yesterday.
Officials said the victim Ramon Inoferio, was recovered late Friday after a gang of kidnappers abandoned him in the remote village of Maligay in Patikul town shortly before 9 p.m.
Soldiers and policemen, led by the town Vice Mayor Ismulatip Suhuri, stormed the village after receiving reports the kidnappers were spotted there, but the gunmen had fled even before security forces could arrive. “We are pursuing the rebels. The operation will continue until the kidnappers are arrested,” regional police commander Isnaji Bantala told Arab News.
Inoferio, kidnapped in Nov. 20 in Jolo town, was brought to a military hospital where doctors examined his frail body. He was later reunited with his family.
