Duterte forms new group vs kidnaps

DAVAO CITY - Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has formed his own anti-kidnapping group as part of beefed-up security measures in the city.

He met with local police and military commanders Tuesday night to outline the organizational structure of the "Intelligence Special Operations Group (ISOG)," which will be composed of police and military intelligence personnel.

The group, he said, will also go after illegal drug pushers.

"These are not normal times. We have to be extra careful. The government has to protect the people by all means," he said.

The creation of ISOG (which means brave in the local dialect) came in the wake of recent abductions in the region, the latest victims of whom were Ma. Cecilia Bonifacio, a daughter of the owner of Bonifacio Motors, and two female friends.

At least 17 suspects were arrested when Bonifacio and her friends were rescued in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. — Edith Regalado