Treasurer of South Cotabato town feared kidnapped

COTABATO CITY, Philippines -- The municipal treasurer of Tupi town, South Cotabato disappeared Thursday and police said there were reports he had been abducted.

Superintendent Robert Kiunisala, South Cotabato police director, said Samuel Sonico was last seen reporting for work on Thursday morning.Kiunisala said it was Sonico's driver, Danilo Sta. Maria, who reported the disappearance of the official to the police.

He said Sta. Maria claimed to have received a text message from unidentified persons informing him they had kidnapped Sonico.

Kiunisala said Sonico's relatives also told police about receiving a similar text messages. "It was not clear whether Sonico was taken by gunmen for ransom purposes or there was any other motive," he said.(Edwin Fernandez, INQ.net)