Oidon Company, Ltd. (OIDN)

[RedSky]

here members why is short of geologist read what happen yestarday in colombia.

18-member geology team kidnapped in western Colombia, 9 freed



Nine of the 18 kidnapped victims snatched Tuesday by Colombian rebels in Choco province, western Colombia, were freed the following day, local government and police officers said.

"Initially 18 were taken. Nine of them have returned," Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos told reporters.

An 18-member geology team, comprising nine geologists and their assistants, were seized by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The victims were marched at gunpoint into the jungle Tuesday evening.

They had been prospecting for gold near the town of Bete, a 20-minute river boat ride from Quibdo, the capital of Choco province, when they were targeted, said local Police Chief Commander Oscar Perez.

All 18 victims work for Logistical Services of Colombia, a company which mines precious metals, said local army colonel Carlos Alberto Pinto. Pinto could not confirm whether there was any non-Colombians among the group and added that the firm was yet to make a comment.

"Starting early this morning the area is being patrolled by fighter and reconnaissance planes in support of army units searching for the 18 people," a statement from Colombia's Air Force said.

Choco is a cocaine-producing area between Panama to the north, a common destination for smugglers, and Valle del Cauca province to the south, home to Colombia's toughest drug cartel. Nine lumberjacks were kidnapped in Choco two weeks ago and their present whereabouts remain unknown.