Yt Framework

Basilan Provincial Vice Governor Al-Rasheed Sakkalahul said yesterday they have received proof that kidnapped businesswoman in Barangay Labuan in the west coast of this city is alive.

Olivia Angeles Barredo, 37, who owns a hardware store and a pharmacy in Barangay Labuan, was abducted by three gunmen a month ago on March 3, 2011.

Sakkalahul, who chairs the Basilan Crisis Management Committee, said the "proof of life" of kidnap victim (Barredo) is now in the hands of the CMC.

"The proof of life was sent to my office through a paid courier, where it contains a memory card containing the video of the kidnap victim," said Sakkalahul.

In the video, the kidnap victim who introduces herself as Olivia, appeals to the CMC and Mayor Celso Lobregat to work for her release.

The victim also mentioned that she is suffering in the hands of her captors because she is pregnant.

It is unclear at this time exactly when the video was made by the kidnappers, but Sakkalahul said he received the video the other day.

Sakkalahul said he will be presenting the video to the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) in Zamboanga City, which is chaired by Mayor Lobregat.

Earlier, the CMC in Basilan also received a video and voice clip of kidnapped elementary school pupil in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Randy Taliana, a student at the Titay Elementary School, was abducted in front of the school by unidentified men a month ago on March 2, 2011.

In the video, the kid is crying and begging for help from his parents and government officials to secure his release from the abductors.

By Hader Glang