British trader, Pinay wife kidnapped in Zambo Sur

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A British businessman and his Filipino wife were snatched by at least four gunmen in a coastal village in Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur on Friday.

Allan Hyrons, 70, and his wife Wilma were seized at Hyrons Beach Resort, which the couple own, in Barangay Alindahaw at around 6:50 p.m., Maj. Helen Galvez, Zamboanga peninsula police spokesperson, said.

The victims reportedly own several other businesses, including a school, also in Tukuran.

Two of the suspects reportedly checked in at the resort on Thursday.

“When the victims arrived... the suspects pointed a gun at them and dragged them to the other side of the beach where two motorized boats were waiting,” Galvez said.

She said they received reports that one of the motorized boats, which was carrying the couple, was headed toward Lanao del Norte. The other motorboat reportedly sailed toward Pagadian City.

Capt. Clint Antipala, First Infantry Division public affairs officer, said military units were alerted to locate the kidnappers and rescue the victims.

Col. Leonel Nicolas of the 102nd Army Brigade said his men are coordinating with the police in the area where the victims were believed brought.

The police and military also sought the assistance of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

No leads

Maj. Arvin Encinas, Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said no group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

A military official said it is possible that the victims are being held separately or individually in mainland Zamboanga.

“Time is of the essence. The perpetrators must be immeditely identified and tracked down before they could transfer the couple for a fee to the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan or Sulu,” the official, who refused to be identified, said.

Last week, three Indonesian fishermen were seized off the coast of Sabah.

The military denied reports attributed to Philippine authorities that Abu Sayyaf bandits contacted the family of one of the fishermen and demanded payment of an undetermined amount of ransom.

Officials said they have yet to confirm if the Abu Sayyaf was behind the kidnapping.