Abductors release trader seized in Cotabato City

A Filipino-Chinese businessman who was kidnapped last Monday in Cotabato City was released before dawn Thursday, a regional police official said. Police Region 12 spokesman Chief Inspector Jomar Alexis Yap said the abductors of Nelson Tay released the victim around 3:20 a.m. in North Cotabato's Pigkawayan town. Yap said the victim was unharmed and was fetched by the parish priest of Midsayap town, upon the request of Tay's family. Tay is now at the Cotabato bishop's palace, Yap added. Shortly after Tay's abduction last Monday, Cotabato City Mayor Guiapal Guiani Jr. called for search and rescue operations. [see: Armed men abduct trader in Cotabato City] Tay, owner of New Asian Trading located along Don Rufino Alonzo Street in Cotabato City, was seized at gunpoint by two men clad in camouflage uniforms and was taken somewhere in Maguindanao. Until his release Thursday, Tay's family has yet to make a statement about the possible motive for his abduction. Also, Yap did not indicate if ransom was paid for Tay's release. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV