PAGADIAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 14, 2012) – The Philippine Army on Wednesday ordered troops to rescue a kidnapped Filipino teacher who is believed being held in Zamboanga del Norte province, a spokesman said.
Capt. Alberto Caber said kidnappers seized Flordeliza Ongchua, 49, inside her house in the village of Labuan in Zamboanga City. Caber said only the woman was taken by gunmen late Tuesday.
“Maj. General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III (the regional army chief) directed concerned military units in the area to help the Zamboanga City Police to pursue the lawless armed group for the immediate safe rescue of the victim,” Caber told the Mindanao Examiner.
Citing military report, Caber said the kidnappers fled toward the town of Sibuco in Zamboanga del Norte province.
“The motive of the kidnapping is still unknown and the perpetrators have not yet contacted the victim’s family,” he said.
At least a dozen gunmen barged in the house of Francisco after failing to find their target, the village chieftain Ronald Maravilla, who is a relative of the victim.
No individual or group claimed responsibility for the latest abduction that occurred in the village of Labuan.
Police and military officials were not immediately available to make a statement about the incident, but kidnappings-for-ransom is not uncommon in Zamboanga City.
In 2009, suspected Abu Sayyaf rebels also kidnapped three government teachers – Freires Quizon, Janette delos Reyes and Rafael Mayorada – in Zamboanga City. And three more teachers – Jocelyn Enriquez, Jocelyn Inion and Noime Mande – in the town of Naga in the neighboring province of Zamboanga Sibugay also in the same year. (Mindanao Examiner. With a report from Ely Dumaboc)
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