2 European kidnap victims brought to Sulu - official

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The two European bird watchers kidnapped in Tawi-Tawi were reportedly brought to Sulu, a military official said yesterday.

Maj. Gen. Noel Coballes, commander of Western Mindanao Command, said they are verifying reports that Dutchman Elwold Horn, 52, and Swiss national Lorenzo Vinceguerre, 47, were being held in the mountains of Sulu.

“There were reports they were brought to Jolo,” Coballes said.

The military has also confirmed reports that the kidnap victims were brought in a village of Panglima Sugala town in Basilan last Feb. 1. 

Coballes did not say if the kidnappers, allegedly associated with the lost command of the Moro National Liberation Front, handed custody of their captives to the Abu Sayyaf.

Authorities led by Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sahali Sadikul have been exhausting efforts to locate the victims for two months now. 

Coballes said troops have been searching for the two Europeans along with gasoline station owner Carlos Tee, 62, who was kidnapped last week, also in Jolo.

Tee is an employee of the Air Transportation Office. He was seized by armed men who barged into his residence on Hadji Butu Extension street at around 7:30 p.m. 

Coballes said the search also continues for Salug, Zamboanga del Norte Mayor Jeffry Lim who was kidnapped last April 2, and Australian Warren Richard Rodwell, 52, who remains in captivity since Dec. 5 in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay province.

He said police are leading the search while military units are on standby for a rescue mission.