Police have arrested the father of a man who allegedly kidnapped a 17-year-old college student whom he wants to marry in Cotabato City, a police official said Saturday.

Ahmad Dirabatun, 44, was collared inside a fast-food chain outlet at the corner of SK Pendatun and Macacua Streets in downtown Cotabato City while forcing the mother of victim Joyce Bag-ao to sign a document stating that her daughter was not kidnapped.

Senior Superintendent Willie Dangane, chief of the Cotabato City Police, said the operation was carried out after the mother of the victim, 48-year old Myrna, sought police assistance after she received a call from Dirabatun, requesting a meeting regarding her daughter who has been missing since last month.

Dangane said the victim was last seen forcibly being dragged by a certain Jomali Dibaratun inside a vehicle on July 17 near the STI College in Cotabato City. The vehicle was last seen heading towards Sultan Kudarat.

“Since then the victim was not seen anymore and have not contacted the parents. We immediately mapped out an operation after we were informed about the meeting of the mother’s victim and the father of the suspect,” said Dangane.

Dangane said the arrest was announced after a brief conversation between Dirabatun and the mother of the victim on Friday afternoon.

“He was arrested while on the act of forcing the mother of the victim to sign the ready made agreement stating among others the victim was not kidnapped hence, voluntarily eloped with his son Jomali,” said Dangane.

The official said a case of kidnapping with serious illegal detention is now being prepared against the Dirabatun and his son while a rescue operation is on going for the victim.