No sighting yet of Samal kidnap victims

MANILA, Philippines — The Operatives of Joint Task Group Sulu on Tuesday said they have not yet sighted the three foreigners and Filipina kidnapped by a still unidentified group of men in Samal Island.

“There is no confirmed sighting of the victim in Sulu yet,” Commander of Joint Task Group Sulu, Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado said. 

Arrojado made the clarification following claims by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) that the abductees are already in Sulu.

The commander added that pursuit operations are still ongoing as the abductors remain unidentified and combat operations will continue against lawless elements including the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu.

“There will be no let up in combat operation, our mandate is to destroy the ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) and rescue the kidnap victims," Arrojado said.

Last September 21, Eastern Mindanao Command public affairs office chief Capt. Alberto Caber confirmed that there was a kidnapping incident which occurred 11:30 p.m.

The victims abducted by armed men were identified as Canadian nationals John Ridsel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, the resort manager, and a Filipina only identified as "Tess."

The joint forces from Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao Philippine Coast Guard and the 10th Infantry Division are now conducting the search and rescue operations.

The Palace also accepted the offer of the MNLF to help in the rescue of the kidnapped victims in Samal Island.

RELATED: Palace accepts MNLF's offer to help rescue Samal abductees