Cops, troops launch 'no let up' campaign to rid south of kidnappings

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - - The police and military backed by the local government unit launched a “no let up” operation to address the spate of kidnapping incidents in this region following the recovery of two Filipino-Algerian sisters in Sulu on Thursday.

A senior military officer said its present operation involves the local government unit through village leaders who know the residents and the area.

“This operation is continuous and there will be no letup to neutralize the kidnapping groups,” said Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief.

“The operation is a total effort which led us to the successful operation the other day and we hope to do this with the other kidnap victims as well,” Guerrero said.

Guerrero was referring to the recovery of siblings Nadjoua and Linda Bansil, both independent filmmakers who were held captive by the Abu Sayyaf group for eight months in Sulu but were safely recovered Thursday afternoon following a series of pursuit operations.

Prior to the release of the two victims, the marines and the Barangay Peace Action Team (BPAT), an organized village pro-government militia, encountered the Abu Sayyaf group, leaving eight killed and about a dozen others wounded in Patikul town.

Guerrero said they have adopted the strategy in employing the cooperation of the local people in taking the lead since the latter knew the area.

He said the operation has also avoided collateral damage and ensured the safety of the kidnap victims.

“The local government plays a big role, if they will not report to us the presence of the ASG, kahit isang libong beses tayong magpatrolya walang mangyayari,” the Westmincom commander said.

Guerrero said the community members themselves see the abductors and their kidnap victims in their place.

“So our efforts are [focused] to close in to the critical area then let the local government come for the negotiation or to put pressure [to the group]...to end this problem of kidnapping,” he said.

The police and military have yet to recover at least 10 kidnap victims in the region, including four in Sulu, two in Basilan, two victims in this city, and a couple seized in Zamboanga del Sur.