Zambo mayor appeals for release of abducted teacher

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - - The local government here appealed  to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to help secure the safe recovery of a young teacher who was kidnapped six weeks ago by a gang linked to the Abu Sayyaf group.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, issued her appeal to secure the release of elementary school teacher Cathy Casipong the soonest possible time to the Police Regional Office 9 (PRO) after they have not received any response from the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG).

“Please help us. It will really mean a lot to us to have teacher (Casipong) back to our school. I have been coordinating with the AKG personnel, trying to seek their guidance and wisdom, but sad to say we have not received a reply for the past two days already. So, I will just have to rely on some of my staff in City Hall to really make sure that the family does not lose hope and we do not lose hope,” Climaco told the police men and women attending a seminar on crisis management at Camp Abendan in Marcedes Tuesday morning.

Salazar, who was once taught as a profession,  said she would have stayed away from the seminar at PRO9 as it was improper for her to be there but  she attended the event because her "heart really breaks for the teacher who up to now remains in the hands of the kidnappers.”

Salazar reminded the police  that  the victim has served the community at the height of the Sept. 9 conflict prior to her abduction.

“So please help us that Casipong will be recovered safely the soonest possible time,” Salazar said.

Casipong, 23, a newly assigned teacher of Sibogtok Elementary School, was seized by gun men on Dec. 18 in the waters off sitio Paraitan, Barangay Liamaong, east of this city.

The kidnappers have reportedly demanded a P3-million ransom in exchange for her release.

Meanwhile, police were also verifying reports that the gunmen that abducted Rudy Luna, a public school supervisor, have  established contact with the victim’s family.

There was no immediate information if ransom has been demanded by the gunmen in exchange for Luna’s freedom.

Luna and his wife Tessie, both supervisors of  Kumalarang Central Elementary School in Kumalarang town, Zamboanga del Sur,  were abducted by eight gunmen Monday night, but Luna’s wife escaped while they were being dragged into a getaway pumpboat by the suspects.