DENR-Caraga denies ultimatum to kidnappers

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – The Caraga office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) yesterday denied reports that its executive director issued an ultimatum to armed lumads to free six kidnapped forest guards today or face the consequences.

This as Bombo Radyo, in its website, quoted DENR-Caraga acting executive director Edilberto Buiser as saying that military and police troops were on standby and ready to deal with the situation if the kidnappers reportedly belonging to “Nagkahiusang Lumad” would not heed the ultimatum.

But DENR-Caraga information officer Herzon Gallego, in a text message, belied any such ultimatm, saying that the crisis management committee was still waiting for the outcome of ongoing negotiations.

“The committee is in close contact with (DENR) Secretary (Lito) Atienza,” he said.

Relatives of the six forest guards have pleaded to the kidnappers to release them, saying they have nothing to do with their complaints or demands.