Report: Armed men abduct nurse, kill grandfather in Zamboanga

Barely three months after a volunteer nurse fell victim to violence in Mindanao, another nurse was abducted in Zamboanga City, with her abductors killing her grandfather. Radio dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr. reported Thursday the incident occurred Tuesday night where at least 10 armed men abducted nurse Maria Cris Cuarto-Cruz, 21. The men fatally shot the victim's grandfather Jesus, who tried to stop the kidnappers during the abduction at Manicahan village. Zamboanga City police director Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo was quoted in the report as saying the police are now conducting pursuit operations against the abductors. Last September 25, nurse Florence (not her real name) was gang-raped and mauled and was left for dead in Maguindanao province. President Benigno Aquino had instructed Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to personally handle the case. Days after the incident, nine nurses in the province left the province for their safety. [See story: 9 nurses leave Maguindanao after Florence gang rape] — LBG, GMANews.TV