Gas station owner, employee freed by kidnappers in North Cotabato

MANILA, Philippines—A 70-year-old owner of a gasoline station and her secretary were freed Wednesday evening by their kidnappers in Maguindanao, police said Thursday.

Annie Datuwata Cuan, owner of Petron Gas Station,  and Christabelle Jorolan were released in Datu Piang between 2 a.m. to 3 a.m., Senior Superintendent Roque Alcantara, provincial police chief, said.

Mayor Manuel dela Cerna of Libungan, meanwhile, identified the gas station owner as Alma Cuan Datuwata.

“No ransom has been paid as far as I know,” Dela Cerna said.

Alcantara said the release was made “due to the pressure of local government units and law enforcers.”

The two were undergoing medical examinations, he said.

Reports quoted Alcantara as saying that five suspects have been identified and were now being hunted down by authorities. With a report from Edwin Fernandez, Philippine Daily Inquirer in Cotabato City