ZAMBOANGA CITY – Zamboanga City policemen manning a checkpoint rescued on Monday night a businessman just a few minutes after he was seized by five suspected kidnappers in this city.
Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo, acting city police director, said Thursday police operatives rescued Thomas To, 65, at 10:20 p.m. or 20 minutes after he was seized by gunmen.

De Ocampo said To was aboard a private-owned jeep with a companion and about to enter his residence in Waray Drive, Barangay Tetuan, when seized by the suspects around 10 p.m.

The suspects forced To to board a waiting public utility van and sped to the direction of Barangay  Tugbungan, leaving behind his companion, whose identity was withheld by for security reasons.

To, who runs a furniture business, was dragged into the van by three of the five assailants while the other two drove motorcycles, one of which served as the lead vehicle while the other as back-up.

To’s companion immediately reported the incident to the police who then immediately set up a police dragnet in all escape routes of the suspects.

De Ocampo said policemen backed by a patrol car have set up a checkpoint at Morning Breeze road that connects Barangay Tugbungan and Barangay Talon-Talon.

Upon seeing the checkpoint at Morning Breeze Road, the suspects hurriedly turned their vehicle then were forced to stop and abandon their van and the victim.

De Ocampo said the abductors fled on foot under the cover of darkness towards the mangrove area of Barangay Tugbungan while the other two motorcycle-riding suspects fled and managed to escape passing through alleys in between houses along the Morning Breeze area.