Gunmen abduct businesswoman in Zamboanga City

MANILA — Troopers from the 1st Infantry Division are conducting pursuit operations against a group of heavily-armed men who abducted a businesswoman in Purok 5 of the coastal Barangay Labuan, Zamboanga City, at around 7:40 p.m. Monday.

Capt. Franco Suelto, 1st Infantry Division spokesperson, said the fatigue-clad suspects earlier grabbed couple Noel and Michelle Panes at gunpoint at the Labuan public market.

However, as the armed men were dragging them to a waiting speed boat along the shoreline, Noel managed to break free and ran away, leaving his wife behind.

Witnesses said the suspects immediately escaped after putting Michelle on the boat.

Pursuit operations are now ongoing.