ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 15, 2010) – Gunmen seized a young woman and fatally shot her grand father who tried to rescue her in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines.

The old man was shot as he tried to fight off the gunmen who barged inside their house late Tuesday in the village called Manicahan. The attackers forcibly took Mary Cuartocruz, 21, and escaped. 

The local police chief, Edwin de Ocampo, did not give details of the abduction and would not answer phone calls from journalists.

The motive of the abduction is still unknown. But it was the second abduction in the area since February after gunmen also seized a former army soldier.

Several kidnappings – largely blamed on rebel groups – had occurred in Zamboanga City over the years. Gun attacks are also common occurrence in Zamboanga. (Mindanao Examiner)