GMA vows to go ‘hammer and tongs’ vs kid

President Arroyo has ordered a full-scale war against kidnap-for-ransom groups nationwide.

The order came on the heels of the gunslaying of Irish missionary Fr. Rufus Halley in a botched kidnapping attempt in Malabang, Lanao del Sur and the recent deaths of two Chinese engineers who were caught in the crossfire during a battle between government troops and Muslim kidnappers in Central Mindanao.

In an earlier interview with the Singapore-based Channel News Asia, the President reiterated the government’s "total commitment" to eradicate kidnap-for-ransom groups such as the Abu Sayyaf and the so-called Pentagon operating in Mindanao.

"We are fighting crimes with hammer and tongs," Mrs. Arroyo said.

The Chinese Embassy has said the deaths of engineers Zhang Zhong-qiang and Xue Xing have "irreparably hurt the feelings of their family members and fellow workers at their company."

The embassy also urged the Arroyo administration to secure the quick release of a third Chinese engineer, Zhong Zhangyi, a brother of Zhang, who was still in the clutches of the kidnappers along with Filipino interpreter Edwin Lim.

Mrs. Arroyo has invited Chinese Ambassador Wang Chungui to Malacañang to explain the circumstances that led to the death of the two Chinese engineers during a rescue attempt by government forces in Sultan Kudarat province.

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said an Army brigade dispatched to go after the abductors of the Chinese engineers, who were working on a critical portion of the P2.7-billion Mal-Mar irrigation project in central Mindanao, has been beefed up.

The troops were also advised to take extra caution in ensuring the lives of the hostages which remained a paramount concern of any rescue operation.

Another Chinese engineer, Ang Shengli, escaped unhurt from their abductors during the gunbattle.

The four engineers were employees of the China Electric Power Technology Import and Export Corp. implementing the Mal-Mar project.

In his press briefing yesterday, Tiglao said the Pentagon kidnap gang has 60 to 70 members.

During the last encounter with government forces, Tiglao said the kidnap group lost about 20 members who were killed.

Tiglao said the government gives much credence to a statement by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that it was not involved in the kidnapping.

The MILF is currently holding peace negotiations with the government.