No word yet from gunmen in Samal kidnapping

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Two weeks of searching yielded no word from the gunmen who kidnapped three foreigners and a local at a resort in Samal Island, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Director General Ricardo Marquez said yesterday.

Marquez, in attending a security briefing with regional police director Chief Supt. Miguel Antonio, added they have no information regarding the reported ransom demand by the kidnappers.

“No contact yet to the best of my knowledge. On the reports of ransom demand, we have no solid information that there was such thing,” he said.

Marquez said authorities have yet to establish if the four hostages were brought to Sulu.

He said the police could not confirm reports that the Abu Sayyaf was behind the kidnapping.

“If evidence is what we talk about, there is no solid evidence that they are in Sulu. It’s all information and news,” Marquez said.

Marquez cited the ongoing investigation to identify the gunmen involved in the abduction.

“We have already some clear picture of the identities of the perpetrators,” he said without further elaborating for security reasons.

Marquez said they were also gathering other witnesses and review of all the CCTV footage in the area.

“There are many possibilities and angles that we could not reveal until after the investigation,” he said.

Marquez said he was in contact Friday with the Davao del Norte provincial police but no group has been positively identified behind the kidnapping.

Marquez gave assurance that the police and the military forces have been tracking down all leads to locate and rescue the hostages.