A Boholano from Sta. Cruz, Baclayon who works as a regional paint executive based in Cagayan de Oro City was released from captivity last week after he was kidnapped by armed men in Lanao del Sur. Kidnappers on Tuesday freed Edgar Cuajao, 30, a company sales executive of Republic Chemical Industries who was abducted last weekend in Cagayan de Oro in exchange for a P100-thousand payment, the network website of Bombo Radyo Philippines reported yesterday. The payment was allegedly for the "board and lodging" of the kidnap victim reported the Bombo website. The radio network did not identify the source of this claim. Cuajao, who is the younger brother of Baclayon Councilor Derwin Cuajao was handed over to Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano at city hall on Tuesday afternoon, hours after he was freed in Ramin, Lanao del Sur.
The kidnappers had allegedly demanded P40 thousand and later raised it to P300 thousand. Officials have yet to issue a statement on the claim that a payment was made for the release of the executive. The victim's wife Rosemarie admitted that payment was made but she said it was a "minimal" amount - P40 thousand - which was for her husband's "board and lodging." In Bohol, Cuajao's abduction became a media event when the victim was presented by Gov. Edgar Chatto to members of the local media during the weekly, “Kita, ug ang Gobernador” radio hook up yesterday at the People's Mansion. In an interview with the couple, both denied that ransom was paid for the release of the kidnap victim. Asked how he was treated by his kidnappers, Cuajao said, the kidnappers were nice to him and even looked after his well-being by feeding him regularly in the course of his captivity. The governor lost no time in thanking Mayor Emano, his Misamis Oriental counterpart Oscar Moreno and military officials led by Gen. Allan Luga for their role in the release of the Boholano hostage.
The release came a day after Rosemarie sought Emano's help. The mayor then immediately sought the help of officials in Lanao del Sur and Marawi. Cuajao who is now residing in Barangay Molugan, El Salvador, Misamis Oriental, was abducted along the highway in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte on Saturday afternoon. Cagayan de Oro City Police Office deputy-director for operations Supt. Antonio Montalba said Cuajao was heading home but decided to go to a bakery near Makro. There, Montalba said, armed men came and snatched the victim at gunpoint. Cuajao said he was blindfolded inside his car and they sped off toward the west. He told investigators he was made to lie down in the car most of the time. Cuajao said negotiations took place but reached a stalemate on Sunday. He said the kidnappers then threatened to behead him. He however went through the ordeal unharmed. According to the wife "nagpaila ang nag-kidnap nga kainuman kuno sila sa akong bana. Then dili siya makauli kung dili mobayad ug P40 thousand. Nahadlok nako kay kada tawag nako lalaki man ang maka-tubag," she said.
GRATEFUL
Meanwhile, Baclayon Mayor Alvin Uy, in behalf of the people of Baclayon, said he was grateful that nothing bad happened to Cuajao. Cuajao revealed that he was driving his vehicle when he received a text message from his wife on his mobile phone asking his whereabouts. He said he decided to park his vehicle to reply to the text but was surprised when armed men sat beside him and aimed a .45 caliber revolver. Cuajao said he was blindfolded while his vehicle was driven to the house where they were staying. He pleaded with his captors to take everything that was in his vehicle but they could not understand what he was saying. They proceeded to a lake where they ordered him to ride on a banca before taking him to an abandoned house where his blindfold was removed. He estimated 20 armed men were involved in the kidnapping. On Sunday, he was allowed to call his father, Sta. Cruz barangay kagawad Hipolito Cuajao by cellular phone. After their conversation, he turned over the cell phone to his father who was the one who negotiated with his kidnappers. Cuajao said he had no complaints with the manner his captors treated him and was fed on time although he had no appetite to eat because he was always thinking of his family. After he observed that negotiators started talking to his captors, Cuajao said he became optimistic. Last Monday, he was fetched from the hideout and brought to Cagayan de Oro. The Cuajao family requested Chatto for assistance. The governor in turn requested Misamis Oriental Gov. Moreno who went out of his way to help in the rescue of Cuajao. By SEN GUINGGUING
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