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Another Filipino-Chinese trader kidnapped in S. Philippines

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-01 08:59

COTABATO, the Philippines -- Filipino gunmen on Sunday kidnapped another Filipino-Chinese woman only hours after a Chinese national was freed by his captors in southern Philippines, local officials said Monday.

Muslimin Sema, mayor of the Cotabato city, told Xinhua by phone that the victim, Luzviminda Tan, was on her way home on board a public vehicle when five armed men snatched her away at around 6: 30 pm on Sunday (1030 GMT).

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Tan, half sister of wealthy Filipino-Chinese trader Manuel Tan who runs a hotel and several establishments in the city, was brought by her captors in the remote village of Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao province.

"Five men disguised as passengers ordered the driver to proceed to a remote village in Datu Odin Sinsuat town. After reaching the Datu Ping Guiaman, the men disembarked from the vehicle along with the victim and left the driver," Sema said.

The driver, who is under investigation, went back to the city and reported to the police about the abduction, he added.

Sema said the victim is also a relative of Filipino-Chinese hotelier Wilson Tan who was kidnapped on February 18 from this city along with his daughter Jennifer. They were freed four days later after a large sum of ransom was paid.