Ex-police chief in ARMM appeals for release of abducted niece

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A retired police chief in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has appealed to kidnappers to release his niece who was abducted here on Wednesday night.

“Please return my niece to her family. If you need help we will help you,” was the plea of retired Chief Superintendent Sukarno Ikbala to the abductors of Sabrina Ikbala Voon.

Voon, 28, was snatched by six armed men inside their residence in the village of Mercedes here at around 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Ikbala said six armed men barged in to the house of his sister Isabel Voon and tried to take her two grandchildren.

“My sister fought back when her two grandchildren were grabbed by the abductors. She was hit by the abductors. My niece, Sabrina, saw what happened and also tried to fight back,” Ikbala said.

The suspects instead took Sabrina.

Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, acting city police chief, said search and rescue operation was launched immediately after the abduction.

He said they were able to establish the identities of two of the six captors, but he refused to give details.

Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Police Office, said six Tausog-speaking men onboard a white van took the victim.

“We are Muslims like you. We appeal for the return of Sabrina to us. I know hindi ito gawain ng ating mga kapatid na Muslims. Hindi mabuting ipakain sa pamilya ang kinita sa masamang gawain (It’s not good to use ill-gotten money in bringing food to our family),” Ikbala said.

In December last year, armed men abducted Cathy Mae Casipong, a schoolteacher of Sibogtok Elementary School in Limaong Island here. Until now, Casipong’s family has not received word from the abductors or from the victims.