Manhunt on for kidnappers of Gensan doctor

Police and military authorities today ordered a massive pursuit against kidnappers who seized a wealthy physician here early Saturday evening.

Supt. George Regis, city police chief, identified the victim as Dr. Josefina Montecillo, 63, a resident of Villa Consuelo Subdivision here.

Unidentified gunmen on board two pick-up vehicles, forcibly took Montecillo at about 6 p.m. Saturday at her farm in barangay Buayan, about six kilometers south of this city.

Regis said initial reports indicated the kidnappers escaped with their victim towards Sarangani province.

Senior Supt. Bartolome Baluyut, Region 12 police chief, immediately dispatched the regional Anti-kidnapping Task Force headed by Supt. Willie Dangane to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victim.

The Army's 601st Infantry Brigade also dispatched the Task Force GenSan to augment the operations against the kidnappers who are believed to be part of the notorious Pentagon kidnap gang operating in South and Central Mindanao.
The kidnap gang, believed to be led by Kumander Tahir Alonto who escaped from the city jail here in November last year, was also tagged in several kidnapping incidents in North Cotabato and Maguindanao in the last few months.
Montecillo was the fourth resident abducted in this city since February.
Last September, a wealthy businessman was also seized at his farm in Alabel, Sarangani but was freed several days later.

— (Minda News)