Armed men seize 6 DENR personnel in Compostela Valley

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Unidentified armed men kidnapped six survey personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Maco, Compostela Valley on Friday, officials said.

Capt. Ernest Carolina, spokesman of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said the six were forcibly taken while conducting validation of the DENR’s National Greening Program in Barangay New Leyte in Maco at around 2:30 p.m.

Three of the victims were released yesterday.

Capt. Alberto Caber, spokesman of the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), said they are still coordinating with the local officials of Maco on who among the victims – identified as Tim Sabina, Kendrik Wong, Nico Lasaca, Chris Favila, Jonas Loredo and Matthew Cua – have been freed.

Soldiers and local policemen were dispatched to locate the hostages. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

“Our primary concern here is for the safe release of the civilian hostages,” Eastmincom commander Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III said in ordering troops from the 100th Infantry Brigade to track down the gunmen and their hostages.

DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations Demetrio Ignacio said field officers in the area are coordinating with local officials to get updates on the incident, including the whereabouts of the kidnapped personnel.

“Apart from the local government, the DENR men were also ordered to check with the police and the military in the area concerning the incident so assistance can immediately be extended,” Ignacio said.  –  With Jaime Laude, Rhodina Villanueva, Ben Serrano