MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Feb. 25 (PIA) -- A faculty member and a student kidnapped on Feb. 19 inside the Mindanao State University (MSU) campus here were released by their abductors after being held in captivity for five days.
Chris Niel Anthony Gulfan, 22, faculty member of Al Kwarizmi International College (AKIC), and Aubrey Vertudez, 19, third year BS Information Technology student at MSU were freed at Barangay Panggao in Saguiaran town at around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24.
The safe release of the two victims was facilitated by City Mayor Fahad Salic who stressed that the abductors were pressured to free the victims due to the series of manhunt operations conducted by the military and police.
“After receiving information that Gulfan and Vertudez were abducted, we immediately convened the crisis management committee and coordinated with the local military to launch a pursuit operation,” said Provincial Police Director Senior Superintendent Pedrito delos Reyes.
On the other hand, Colonel Daniel Lucero, commanding officer of army’s 103rd Brigade, said they have been conducting joint military and police operations for the past four days and they were happy to note that the victims were freed unharmed.
He also thanked those who assisted and helped them in recovering the victims especially the locals who have been giving positive information not wanting the presence of kidnappers in the area.
Salic fetched the victims at Barangay Panggao and turned them over to the 103rd Brigade headquarters in Kampo Ranao here at around 6:00 p.m.
The city mayor said no ransom was paid for the release of Gulfan and Vertudez.
The two were then brought to Amai Pakpak Medical Center for check-up and later brought back again to Kampo Ranao for a short debriefing.
They were handed over to their respective families after the debriefing.
Lucero meanwhile emphasized that they will do everything to support the local police for the eventual stoppage of such nefarious activity in the province.
He said they will see to it that the perpetrators will regret what they have done to the victims.
The brigade commander further said that they will convince the victims to file charges against the perpetrators.
“We have enough laws to deter and punish those who committed such crime and we will see to it that they will answer in court and hopefully bring them to justice,” he added.
Lucero also disclosed that he have talked with MSU President Macapado Muslim for the strengthening of security inside the university campus.
He said they will be having a conference with the administration of MSU next week to strengthen the security in the campus and to secure the university students as well. (APB/PIA-10 Marawi)
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