Kidnappers struck anew in this city, abducting a member of a prominent family in the coastal Barangay of Maasin, barely 54 days after a public school teacher was kidnapped in Labuan, also a coastal village in the western coast of Zamboanga City. Flordeliza Ramones Ongchua, a public school teacher who was kidnapped on November 13, 2012 in her house in Labuan, several miles from where the teacher was seized, was released by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in Jolo town.
At least a dozen gunmen barged in Ongchua’s house after failing to find their target, the village chieftain, Ronald Maravilla, who is a relative of the victim. City police director Sr. Supt. Edwin de Ocampo identified the latest victim as Edgar Fabella y Mortera, 52, married, owner of an eatery in the said barangay. The victim is also a son of Mrs. Rosario Mortera Fabella, a retired city school supervisor, and Felipe Fabella, Sr., a retired principal of the city public school. “He was forcibly seized by five unidentified armed men outside Chichay Pata Hauz along the highway of Barangay Maasin, this city, Friday night,” De Ocampo said.
Fabella was brought to a pump boat docked at the adjacent coastal area in front of the business establishment and taken towards the east ward direction by the three suspects. Two other suspects wearing color black and orange shirt sped away on board a motorcycle towards the downtown area, according to the police report.
The eldest brother of the victim, Felipe, averred that the victim’s son, Zandie, was tending their store then the suspects pretended to be customers bought some cigarette sticks from their store while the victim was standing at the gate near the store. Zandie told policemen that there was a sudden commotion and saw his father lying on the ground prompting him react and punched one of the suspects but became restless when he was poked with a handgun by the suspect.
Felipe said that his nephew sought assistance from them however, when they responded at the scene the suspects were already at the shoreline forcing the victim to board their pump boat. “Armao iyo de palo despues ya precura iyo atraka na mga kidnappers pero ya palya iyo ase kay ya planta ya comigo el uno na mga suspechao su pusil...yaman atras ya lang yo,” Felipe said in the chavacano vernacular. Felipe told Zamboanga Today that the three suspects sped off with his brother, Edgar, while the other two suspects fled towards the city proper simultaneously with their companions.
De Ocampo and Task Force Zamboanga commander Colonel Glenn Macasero responded to the scene and both coordinated with the units with air and water assets for possible hot pursuit operation. Witnesses said that the suspects were on board a stripe colors blue, yellow and white pump boat and a black motorcycle.
The City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) convened at City Hall led by Mayo Celso Lobregat. Lobregat said that the victim’s family called up Maasin Barangay Chairman Misael S. Bernardo, who was in Manila attending the burial of his family, then informed Sinunuc Police Station commander Sr. Inspector Arthur Alejandro about the abduction. The mayor said that it took about 10 minutes for the kidnappers to execute their plan then afterwards the family reported the incident to the authority. He also said they have no information regarding the medical condition of the victim because the family are still confused and under stressed on the situation. The mayor formed Task Group Edgar headed by the local police chief to focus on the investigation of the case.
On the other hand, De Ocampo divulged that the police operatives of Sinunuc Police Station has constantly advise people residing near coastal areas and possible targets of kidnapping to be vigilant and alert. CPOC disclosed that as of the press time, no words have been received by the family from the abductors.
Meanwhile, servant leader and United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) congressional aspirant of District 1 Monsi dela Cruz expressed sadness over the latest abduction incident. “Another kidnapping incident has happened just this evening with a member of the Fabella family taken, very Tragic indeed. My prayers and solidarity (go) to the family in their present moments of anxiety and pain,” Monsi wrote in his Facebook page. Monsi asked: “What is happening to our dear Zamboanga City? Kidnapping last night occured again. Killings still happening and other crimes, city very dirty. Something must be done asap! Is this what they call progress!?”
Of what significance is the much publicized billions of government deposits in the banks heralded with pride, if our people are not happy and secured in their homes, in our streets and many people hungry and jobless, businessmen complaining of high taxes but poor services?” Enough is enough of praise releases, and names of government officials in vehicles and other infrastructures, as if the money used were their own when in truth and in fact it belongs to the taxpayers and people. It is sad, something must be done. It is time for a change!”
http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/12853-kidnappers-strike-anew-seize-restaurant-owner-in-maasin.html
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.