Kidnappers want P30M in ransom

ISABELA CITY—Kidnappers believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf are demanding P30 million for the release of a Chinese woman and her daughter who they seized here last week.

Senior Supt. Albert Larubis, city police chief, said the kidnappers had contacted a member of the family of Dina Lim, 45, who was snatched along with her daughter, Yahong Lim Tan, 19, on May 22. The two were supervising the family-owned Dalby’s videoke bar when taken at gunpoint.

Lim remains a Chinese citizen, although she has been living with a Filipino man for the past 10 years. Her daughter also did not renounce her Chinese citizenship.

“Dina managed to call her son, Sean Lim, and informed him that the kidnappers wanted P30 million. The call was made on Sunday,” Larubis said.

He said Sean confirmed that the voice was that of his mother.

Larubis said police investigators suspected that Abu Sayyaf bandits were behind the kidnapping but could not yet establish their identities. Last week, he said the kidnappers could have been led by Purudji Indama. Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao