Westmincom chief vows rescue of 6 kidnap victims

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – The new chief of the military area command here vowed that measures are now being considered for the rescue of six kidnap victims held separately by either the Abu Sayyaf and kidnap-for-ransom groups in Western Mindanao.

Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, commander of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) brought out the security plans after the kidnapping incidents reached his attention.

The victims include a Japanese and Filipino-Chinese held by the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu, an old woman retailer and a female teacher held by other Abu Sayyaf faction in Basilan, and a woman and grandson snatched in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Norte.

The fate of Hiroshima-born Toshio Ito alias Amer Katayama Mamaito, 63, who was abducted in Pangutaran last July 16, has remained uncertain while Kenn Klefford Lao, 21, and son of a doctor, abducted in Oct. 7 is being exchanged for P3 million ransom by his Abu Sayyaf kidnappers in Sulu.

The two victims in Basilan are Rose Baranda, 60, kidnapped Nov. 2, and 13 days later the kidnap-for-ransom group of Nurhassan Jamiri abducted two teachers – Marlyn Yacapin and Cecilia Sosas.

Yacapin was rescued an hour later in Tuburan town but the kidnappers managed to escape with Sosas.

Three days earlier, a separate kidnapping group also abducted a woman and her grandson in Pagadian City. The victims were Babeth Gomonit, 55, and her 10-year-old grandson Ceekim, who were last monitored in Tukuran town near the boundary of Lanao.

Police reported that the family recently received contacts from the kidnappers but have refused to divulge the details of the communication.

“Definitely, we’ll find ways to rescue and get back the victims safely. That’s the first concern,” Ferrer said.

He said the military forces will conduct the rescue operation in coordination with the police authorities once they will be given the signal as the last option.

Ferrer said at the moment the crisis management committees of the affected areas have been meeting for the safe recovery of the victims.