Village chieftain abducted in Sulu now free and unharmed–police

MANILA, Philippines—The 35-year-old village chieftain abducted by armed men in Sulu last Tuesday was released two days later unharmed, a Philippine National Police spokesman said Friday.

Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said Poblacion village chairman Rodimar Tingkahan was found by authorities “alone and unharmed” at the vicinity of Barangay (village) Pasil, Indanan, Sulu around 7 a.m. Thursday.

Reports said Tingkahan, who was then on-board his vehicle, was flagged down and kidnapped by 12 armed men along Sapah Malaun village around 2 p.m. Tuesday for still unidentified reason.

Cruz Jr. said the victim was brought to Sulu Provincial Police Office for debriefing, and subsequently taken to a hospital for medical treatment.

The family of the victim requested that he be turned over to his father and uncle, retired Superintendent Rugis Tingkahan and former Assemblyman Garcia Tingkahan.