Samal resort owners beef up security

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Resort owners on Samal Island plan to implement a tighter security plan following the kidnapping of three foreigners and a Filipina last month. 

Pastor Lozada, president of the Samal City Resort Owners Association, told The STAR the final security plan would be finalized next week.

Lozada said resort owners and various government units, including the military, police and Coast Guard personnel, would be involved in drafting the security plan.

Canadians John Ridsdel, 68, and Robert Hall, 50; Hall’s girlfriend, Marites Flor, and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, 56, were seized from the Holiday Ocean View Samal Resort in Barangay Camudmud on Sept. 21.

A faction of the Abu Sayyaf led by Hatib Sawadjaan is holding the hostages, according to sources in the intelligence community.