The city government has mobilized its personnel to assist efforts for the immediate and safe release of four businessmen from this city who were seized by members of an alleged kidnap gang in Maguindanao province two weeks ago.
City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said he has commissioned a team
that will closely monitor and lead the necessary coordination with law
enforcement units that are working on the reported abduction of business
partners Engr. Jayson Cababayao, architect Raulito Suyom, Francis Wong
Sepulvida and Rho Steven Bochurno in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao last March 29.
The mayor said they have initially linked up with the Police
Regional Office in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-ARMM) and its
anti-kidnapping group.
“We tasked our assigned personnel to gather more information
and help in the investigation of the case,” Rivera said.
As of Monday, he said they are still clueless as to the
identities of the kidnappers who had reportedly demanded a P10 million ransom
for the victims.
He said the families of the four victims already sought the
local government’s assistance regarding the incident and are closely
coordinating with them for the developments.
“Our priority right now is to ensure the safe release of the
victims,” Rivera said.
The four, who are all residents of this city, were on their
way to meet a prospective client in Cotabato
City
Cababayao’s family owns the J Trade Concrete Products and
Construction Supply here.
Police said the victims were last seen leaving the city on
March 29 aboard a Mitsubishi Strada pickup. The vehicle was found abandoned
somewhere in Maguindanao several days later.
A group led by an alleged field commander of the Bangsamoro
Islamic Freedom Fighters initially tagged as behind the kidnapping has
repeatedly denied any involvement in the incident.
Chief Supt. Lester Camba, Region 12 police director, earlier
confirmed the abduction of the four business partners but refused to give
further details noting that another unit is handling the case.
He said the incident happened in the area of responsibility
of the PRO-ARMM and is being handled by its anti-kidnapping unit.
The official said he has directed the city police office and
the regional police’s intelligence unit to closely coordinate with the
PRO-ARMM’s anti-kidnapping group “so we will be able to know the developments
of the case.”
Owing to the incident, Camba advised local businessmen to
refrain from doing transactions with people who have suspicious identities and
in areas that they are not familiar with.
“Make sure that you really know the persons you are dealing
with, you well know the area of your meeting place and don’t just give out
specific information about your movements. Personal safety should always be a
top consideration,” he said.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2015/04/13/gensan-moves-to-free-4-kidnapped-businessmen/
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