Basilan execs weigh options vs kidnaps
Authorities in Basilan are weighing these options in their desire to stop the rash of kidnappings in the province.
At present, three hostages, including a female nurse, are being held captive in Tuburan town by a suspected “lost command” of the Abu Sayyaf.
Basilan Vice Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakalahul said provincial officials are meeting with police and the Marines to come up with measures that will not imperil the hostages.
Police and the Marines are preparing for a possible rescue operation for the hostages – Pilardo Tolentino and Jason Constancia, who were contracted by Globe Telecom, and nurse Preciosa Feliciano.
Tolentino and Constancia were abducted Wednesday while on their way back after site inspection in Barangay Languyan, Mohammad Adjul town (formerly part of Tuburan town), while Feliciano, 24, was seized in Zamboanga City last July 7 and brought to Basilan.
Sakalahul said Feliciano was seen in Tuburan a few days ago. But the police and the military are still verifying the report, said Col. Rustico Guerrero, commander of the 1st Marine Brigade.
He said the two male hostages are believed being kept in the same area, too.
However, Sakalahul said they could not say if the same group of kidnappers was behind the twin abductions.
Sakalahul said there were initial negotiations for the safe release of all three captives.
“It cannot be done by force immediately. We have to address this first diplomatically just to save the lives of the hostages,” he said.
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