ZAMBOANGA CITY — Governor Rommel Jalosjos said the Zamboanga Sibugay provincial government is still exerting all efforts for the safe recovery of the nine-year-old boy who was kidnapped in the province four months ago.
The hostage, Randelle Talania, was kidnapped by gunmen in the afternoon of March 9 in front of the elementary school in Barangay Namnama in Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Jalosjos said there is no contact from the kidnappers for "over a month now."
Jalosjos said the kidnappers have recently sent a "proof of life" of the boy which he said "is not credible for me."
Jalosjos explained the kidnappers have sent a Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive containing a photo of the boy with no date. He said the boy looks the same since the time he was kidnapped.
He disclosed they have received information the boy is sick from asthma but looking in good condition in the photo sent by the kidnappers.
He revealed the kidnappers have demanded ransom the initial amount of which is P30 million. The ransom was later reduced to P7 million and further lowered to P5 million.
Jalosjos said he is not in favor in paying ransom to put an end to kidnapping incidents. (PNA)
DCT/LAM/TPG/rsm
