Kidnap victim found in rebel camp

Press, 10 February 1982, Page 8

Kidnap victim found in rebel camp

NZPA Manila Philippine troops have rescued a missing sportsman. Tommy Manotoc, from outlaws supported by Communist rebels, a spokesman for President Ferdinand Marcos said yesterday. Mr Manotoc. a 32-year-old amateur golfer who last year secretly married President Marcos’s daughter. Imee, had been missing for 41 days. The golfer’s brother, Ricardo Manotoc, jun., said that the family had received no official word of the rescue. Earlier, Mr Manotoc’s family accused President Marcos and his wife. Imelda, of having something to do with the disappearance because of their opposition to the marriage. -The-Media Affairs Minister (Mr Gregorio Cendana) told the Associated Press that Mr Manotoc was rescued on Monday afternoon. He said Mr Manotoc was well. A statement from Mr Cenilana’s office said the specially trained Govern-, ment forces “successfully penetrated the encampment of the kidnappers” in the Sierra Madre mountains about 110 km east of Manila; The statement quoted radio reports from the field as saying that the Government forces encountered “fierce resistance from the kidnappers who are apparently criminals supported and protected by the New People's Army, a Communist rebel group. “The principal mission of the military intelligence group was to retrieve Mr Manotoc and withdraw' him to safe territory as fast as possible." Mr Cendana said. He said further details of the encounter would be released by the military. Mr Manotoc was last seen on December 29 after having dinner with Imee Marcos, aged 26, at a suburban Manila restaurant. Court documents in Arlington, Virginia, in the United States, indicate the couple were married there on December 8. President Marcos said the marriage was invalid because Mr Manotoc’s divorce last October from, a former Miss International. Aurora Pijuan, was not recognised in the predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines.