Asia-Pacific

Kidnapped Chinese-Filipino trader freed: official

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-15 13:08

COTABATO, Philippines - Gunmen on Friday released a Chinese-Filipino trader that was kidnapped a week ago in southern Philippines, a military official said.

The kidnapped, Conchita Atienza Tan, 73, was seen along with her family on board their vehicle around 9:15 am Friday when they were about to leave their house in Cotabato City, said Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, regional military spokesman, adding that the she was heading to the airport in Maguindanao.

"We are still determining how she (Tan) was freed," said Cabangbang.

Gunmen seized Tan at Rosario Heights 2 in Cotabato City last Friday afternoon. A family driver and security personnel were killed when they shot it out with the kidnappers.

Conchita Atienza Tan is the wife of Lucio Tan, owner of the LCT Hardware in Cotabato City. The abductors boarded the victim to a watercraft and fled towards the town of Kabuntalan in Maguindanao after the kidnapping. Ransom was asked for the release of the victim. But it is not immediately known whether ransom money was paid.