Aid workers trained vs kidnappings

MANILA, Philippines - Aid workers in Mindanao and other conflict-ridden areas in the country have received training from British experts to protect themselves from kidnappings.

The British embassy said its government provided funding for the training program for aid workers because of the spate of abductions of development workers in Mindanao, particularly in Zamboanga, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The kidnappings have fostered an atmosphere of fear and reluctance that jeopardizes the delivery of services to people in conflict-stricken areas, it said.

John Walker, one of the British experts tapped for the training, cited the need to help susceptible individuals such as aid workers protect themselves from abductions.

“Majority of (the kidnap victims) I talked to were never aware of any surveillance,” he said, adding that awareness is a critical factor.

The training presented a template for an effective and systematic response system for crisis situations such as kidnappings.