By Richel Umel, Julie Alipala
Mindanao Bureau
First Posted 16:35:00 07/22/2008

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines -- The kidnappers of a Mindanao State University (MSU) biology teacher have dropped their ransom demand but still want payment for the victim’s “board and lodging,” the military commander in Lanao del Sur said Tuesday.

Colonel Rey Ardo, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade based in Marawi City, said the kidnappers will not release Sherwin Nacua unless the family pay a fee for his stay with them.

Ardo did not specify how much the kidnappers wanted in exchange for Nacua's freedom but said authorities continue working to secure the victim's release.

Nacua, a faculty member of the MSU’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and 25 other teachers of the state-run university in Marawi were on their way home to Iligan City when abducted at gunpoint in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur on June 26.
The gunmen, whose identities remain unknown, commandeered the jeepney that the victims were riding and took it to a hinterland village in Saguiaran.

When they reached the area, the armed men reportedly asked residents to help them keep the victims but the locals refused.

While negotiating with the locals, 25 of the victims managed to run but Nacua was left behind.

In Zamboanga City, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad corrected his earlier report that five persons were abducted in Basilan on Sunday.

Jumoad said there were only three victims and the mistake was due to "our shock and confusion with the spate of kidnappings here."

Jumoad identified the victims as jeepney driver Ronni Ando, Wilma Sumergido, and her son Michael, 16.

Senior Superintendent Salik Macapantar, Basilan police chief, said there has been no word on the victims yet and the kidnappers have not made any demands.

source: inquirer.net

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