Son of Comelec commissioner kidnapped

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - Unidentified suspects have kidnapped the son of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Elias Yusoph, the Comelec and police confirmed Monday.

Lanao del Sur police chief Senior Superintendent Paniares Adap said Noranjin Yusoph, 22, was abducted in Barangay Sabala Amano in Marawi City at 8:15 p.m. He said police have set up checkpoints around the city, and search and rescue operations have been launched to free the victim.

A separate interview by Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez, on the other hand, said the abduction happened at around 7 p.m. as the victim was leaving mosque.

"He has been in contact with his father, Elias Yusoph, and so far he is in good health and fair spirits. What we are really doing is establishing communication lines between Commissioner Yusoph and the abductor," he told ANC.

Jimenez said the victim was being treated well and that the kidnappers were urging the Comelec commissioner to comply with their demands.

He did not, however, say what the demands were amid reports that the kidnappers allegedly demanded the nullification of election results in the towns of Malabang, Pitong Taraka, and Masiu in Lanao del Sur.

"There are suspects but investigators are playing this close to their chest. There was no prior threat to Yusoph," he said.

He said Yusoph is coordinating with National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies.

Source: Abs-Cbnnews