Korean exec freed by kidnappers in Lanao del Sur – police

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – The South Korean mining executive abducted in Lanao del Sur on January 19 was freed by his captors late Tuesday.

Senior Insp. John Condo, the Saguiaran town police chief, said residents of Barangay Pawak in Saguiaran noticed Song Ki Eon as he wandered in the village past 11 p.m.

“Residents informed us they found what looked like a Chinese or a Korean wandering in the village so we sent troops there and found Song,” Condo told a radio station here by phone on Wednesday.

“He was apparently very tensed and stressed even if he was very silent,” he said.

Condo said the Saguiaran police handed the South Korean to the police’s anti-kidnapping task force for debriefing.

“He was reunited with his family in Iligan City at past 12 midnight,” he added.

But Condo said they were not certain if ransom had been paid.

Song, who was based in Cagayan de Oro City, was traveling to Marawi City with a friend, PO2 Roel Billardo, when abducted on January 19.

Based on Billardo’s account, he and Song had traveled to Iligan City to meet prospective business partners.

On their way to Iligan, Song reportedly got calls from still unidentified callers, who instructed him to proceed to Marawi City.

Billiardo also told investigators he opposed the idea because “Marawi was dangerous for foreigners” but the Korean insisted and took the wheel of the black Toyota Avanza they were riding.

As they reached Barangay Mipaga, also in Saguiaran, three men allegedly boarded the Avanza and directed Song where to drive. Billiardo said Song appeared to know the suspects as they talked about a mining exploration business.

When they were nearing Marawi City, Billiardo said the unidentified men forced the Korean to transfer to a Tamaraw FX, handcuffed him inside the Avanza, and sped off.

Song was the latest in the list of South Koreans to be abducted in Lanao del Sur.

In October 2011, armed men also seized South Korean miners Woo Shu Bong, Kim Nam Dou and a Choi.

They were later freed after paying ransom to the group, which remained unidentified.

In March 2008, South Korean businessman, Tae Jung and his Filipino companion was also kidnapped in Lanao del Sur. The duo was freed after paying ransom money.

In September last year, Zaldy Sarangani, one of the suspects in the kidnapping of the South Korean and the Filipino was arrested.

Sarangani was charged with kidnapping, along with an Abu Bakal, and others known only by the aliases Commander Antig; Engineer; Anwar, also known as Ano, Anwar Ampaso and Mohammad Anwar; Palos; Malik; and Salem.

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