Judges' escorts foil kidnap try on Indian trader in Cotabato City

MANILA, Philippines - Alert security escorts of two judges on Wednesday foiled the kidnapping of an Indian businessman in southern Philippines, a military official said. Major Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, said the escorts decided to act after seeing three men forcibly dragging Manohar Mike Khemani into a vehicle. The security escorts were working for Cotabato City court executive judge Ibrain Bansawan and Judge Ben Garcia of Central Mindanao regional labor relations commission. “Immediately, the security escorts of the two judges reacted by firing their firearms to the (group)," said Cabangbang, adding that the encounter gave Khemani an opportunity to escape. Khemani’s driver, Christopher Aracena, was wounded in the incident. Cabangbang said Khemani, who owns the Sugni Superstore in Cotabato City, was aboard his Toyota Landcruiser vehicle and was on his way home from a meeting at the Sardonyx Plaza, also in the city, when intercepted by the suspects at about 12:09 a.m. along Guttierez Avenue in Barangay RH7. Cabangbang said troops from the military’s Task Group Tugis responded and pursued the suspects but failed to catch them. The suspects reportedly fled toward the nearby Malagapas area. - GMANews.TV