Kidnap victim freed after kin paid ransom in Zambo Sibugay

Abductors on Saturday night released Joel Indino Jr. reportedly after his family paid a P1-million ransom in southern Philippines, a police spokesman said Sunday. “Reports disclosed that the family paid at least P1M ransom money for Joel’s freedom. The family refused to comment on this," said Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr., spokesman for the Philippine National Police (PNP). He said Indino, who was kidnapped last January 29 in Zamboanga City, was “safely recovered" by authorities in Payao in Zamboanga Sibugay at about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. The victim was immediately brought to the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Police Office headquarters for medical checkup and debriefing. Cruz said “legal offensive" will commence against the kidnappers “once [the] family and victim are ready to cooperate." The Philippine government is maintaining a no-ransom policy in dealing with kidnapping cases. - KBK, GMA News