Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Eastern Mindanao Command troops deployed to pursue lawless group behind Samal Island kidnapping

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 22): Eastern Mindanao Command troops deployed to pursue lawless group behind Samal Island kidnapping

While stressing that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is the lead agency in the ongoing investigation and pursuit operations against the bandit group who snatched three foreigners and one Filipino woman on Samal Island, Davao del Norte on Monday evening, Eastern Mindanao Command head Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad assured that all his units will be providing all the support it can to the PNP.

In line with this, he said that they already deployed helicopters and naval vessels to help in the pursuit operations, aside from intelligence units.

Baladad said that the identities of the suspects behind the kidnapping of the four victims are still unknown.

He also stated that they have no indications that the abduction was committed by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

Around 11 suspects, armed with long and short firearms, abducted three foreigners and a Filipina during a raid at Oceanview Resort, Barangay Camudmud, Babak District, Island Garden City of Samal Monday night.

As this time, pursuit operations are being conducted by naval and group units of the Eastern Mindanao Command.

The incident took place at 11:30 p.m. Monday, Capt. Alberto Caber, Eastern Mindanao Command public affairs office chief, said.

He identified the victims as Canadians John Ridsel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, the resort manager, and a still unidentified Filipino woman.

Reports said the suspects were speaking in English and Filipino when they snatched the victims.

Two Japanese tourists tried to stop the bandits but failed.

At the time of the raid, 30 or more foreigners were at the resort.

Joint forces from Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, Philippine Coast Guard and the 10th Infantry Division are now conducting pursuit operations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=806822

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