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ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/09 December) — Mindanao State University President Dr. Macapado Abaton Muslim has started negotiations for the release of two students who were kidnapped Tuesday inside the school campus in Marawi City, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Communication Command Post in Manila today said.
Archie Baricuatro, an agricultural engineering student, and Sheila Vidal, who is taking up hotel and restaurant management, were snatched by unknown abductors. Both are members of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church.
The military also said that as of Thursday morning the two victims were separated from each other and were believed brought to barangay Gacap in Piagapo town, Lanao del Sur.
Reports earlier said they were brought to Ramain town, Lanao del Sur.
Col. Cresente Ferrer, commanding officer of the 601st Infantry Brigade in Lanao, said the abductors have demanded a ransom of P200,000.
Ferrer said police and military personnel were sent to rescue the victims but he refused to give further details in order not to jeopardize the operation.
An anxious Prof. Ninotchka Herrera, head of the communication department of the MSU’s College of Social Sciences and Humanities, said they had no idea on the situation of the kidnapped students. (Violeta M. Gloria/MindaNews)