Gazmin downplays impact of abduction cases on Apec meet

From the Daily Tribune (Oct 10): Gazmin downplays impact of abduction cases on Apec meet

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin yesterday sought to downplay the negative impact of the recent kidnapping incidents to the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit which will be attended by more than 20 heads of states, including United States President Barack Obama.

Gazmin, during a chance interview by Camp Aguinaldo reporters, said that the Aquino government is well-prepared for the November Apec Summit.

“As far as Apec is concerned, we are very firm that we can rightfully say that we are prepared for any eventuality and we have done all the things that should be done to prevent such activity to happen during the Apec,” Gazmin said.

Gazmin expressed belief that the recent kidnapping of foreigners in Davao del Norte and Zamboanga del Norte have long been planned by the perpetrators.

The Defense chief stressed that government security forces are now conducting continuous operation to track down the perpetrators and safety rescue the victims.

“The special instruction is to focus their military operation in securing and ensuring the safety of the kidnap victims,” Gazmin said.

Relatedly, the military is eyeing a certain group behind the kidnapping of Italian Rolando del Torchio in Dipolog City on Wednesday night.

Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said that the military and the police are currently conducting operation to address Del Torchio’s kidnapping.

“There is an ongoing joint AFP-PNP pursuit operation so I cannot disclose the details,” said Guerrero.

Asked if the military has identified the suspects, Guerrero replied “we have. At this point, we cannot disclose it.”

Del Torchio, 53, a former missionary priest who served in Sibuco, Zamboanga Sibugay, was kidnapped by more or less 10 armed men right inside his Ur Choice Pizza House located along Quezon Avenue in Dipolog City Wednesday night.

A security official, who requested anonymity, tagged the group of Saher Munloc, alias commander Red Eye, whose members are former fighters of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), who have gone into kidnapping and other illegal activities.

The source said Munloc’s group were among the lawless groups operating in Zambonga Peninsula and other provinces in Western Mindanao and is involved in kidnapping, extortion and other illegal money-making schemes. The group has ties with the local terrorist group Abu Sayyaf.

Guerrero said they were looking into reports that Del Torchio had been brought to Sulu, the province were Filipino Maritess Flor and the three foreigners Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad were also taken after they were abducted in Davao more than a week ago.

He said the presence of the kidnap victims in Sulu was the subject of intense validation by the police and the military.

“We are receiving the same information, so we are validating all of these.

 

Nevertheless, we are continuing our focused military operation and in coordination with the Philippine National Police because there are still nine hostages in Sulu, so our efforts are continuing,” Guerrero said.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/gazmin-downplays-impact-of-abduction-cases-on-apec-meet