Kidnapped pharmacy trader freed in Zambo Sibugay

A pharmacy owner abducted in Zamboanga City in March has been released by her captors in neighboring Zamboanga Sibugay after more than a month in captivity, a regional police official said on Wednesday. Director Felicisimo Khu, chief of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) for Western Mindanao, said Olivia Barredo, 36-year-old owner of Bubbles Pharmacy was released in Barangay Surabay, Roseller Lim town about 8 a.m. Wednesday. Barredo, who also reportedly owns a hardware store, was abducted by suspected members of the the Salam kidnap-for-ransom group at Purok 2, Barangay Labuan in Zamboanga City on March 3. Khu said Barredo was immediately picked up by police operatives and subjected to medical check up. Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo, chief of the Zamboanga City Police, said no ransom was paid in exchange for Barredo's release. "The abductors only pitied her," De Ocampo said when asked what prompted the suspects to release Barredo. De Ocampo added that Barredo lost weight but a medical checkup conducted on her showed she was in good health. Barredo was abducted three days after the release of 21-year-old kidnapped nurse, Mary Chris Cuartocruz. Cuartocruz was held by her captors for more than two and a half months also in Zamboanga City. [See: Kidnapped nursing grad in Zambo Sibugay freed] — RSJ, GMA News