Hataman calls on security forces to suppress kidnappings

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 22): Hataman calls on security forces to suppress kidnappings

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman has called on security forces to work in close coordination with each other to suppress kidnapping incidents.

Hataman made the call as he observed that most of victims who are in captivity in the province of Sulu have been kidnapped in other places like Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur.

The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is believed to be still holding captive more than 10 people including a foreign bird watcher and a town mayor from Zamboanga Sibugay.

The ASG seized the foreign bird watcher—Dutchman-- along with Swiss national in February of 2012 in Tawi-Tawi while Mayor Gemma Adana of Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay in April this year.

Hataman said the ASG is making Sulu a “keeping place” of kidnap victims since they have strong foothold in the province.

However, Hataman said the Joint Task Group Sulu headed by Col. Alan Arrojado is continuously conducting “surgical operations” to weaken the ASG foothold in the province.

“Once weakened, they have no more place where the bring hostages. They cannot and are not bringing hostage to Basilan because they have weak foothold (in the area),” he said.

He said they have also tapped the town and barangay officials to assist the task group’s surgical operations to weaken the ASG base in Sulu.

He foresees that the kidnappings will stop once the ASG is denied of foothold in the province of Sulu.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=785223