Indian businessman abducted in Cotabato City—police report

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—Unidentified armed men on Tuesday night abducted an Indian national said to own a chain of department stores in Cotabato City and North Cotabato, authorities here said.

A security guard was killed while another was wounded during the abduction, police said.

Aniceto Rasalan, speaking for the Cotabato City government, identified the victim as Mike Khemani, 60, and owner of Sugni Superstore.

“Pursuit operation is still ongoing,” Rasalan said, adding that the kidnapping took place about 6:15 p.m.

Senior Supt. Rolen Balquin, city police chief, said three to five armed men on board a black Toyota Corolla without license plate was seen parked in front of the victim’s store along Bonifacio Street.

Report said Khemani was doing a regular tour inside and outside his department store when he was grabbed by two of the kidnappers and forced him into a waiting car.

Security guards at the Sugni Superstore tried to pull the victim but was shot by the kidnappers, Rasalan said. Guard Kaura Abdul was killed, while another guard, Mustapha Abdulrahim, was wounded.

Quoting witnesses, Rasalan said the victim and the kidnappers were last seen transferring to a motorboat along Rio Grande de Mindanao and sped upstream.

Khemani, who also owns department stores in Kabacan, North Cotabato, and in Kidapawan City, escaped kidnapping twice in 2007 and 2009.