COTABATO CITY, Philippines -?A local trader abducted by unidentified gunmen in southern Philippine city of Marawi Tuesday was allowed by his captors to phone his wife, police said.

Abdulkarim Magarang told his wife not to worry and that he was fine, Chief Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, regional police commander said Thursday.

Latag said the conversation between the victim and his wife was "very brief" and it was suddenly cut by the kidnappers. Magarang didn't say if his kidnappers were demanding for ransom. ?

"Search and rescue operation of our policemen are ongoing. We will implement a no ransom policy," Latag said.

Magarang was forcibly taken by suspects at gunpoint in the southern Philippine city of Marawi.