Rescue operation on for seized Zambo mayor

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Police and military forces have launched a massive rescue operation for a town mayor seized by armed men in Zamboanga del Norte Monday night, authorities said.

Chief Superintendent Napoleon Estilles, Region 9 police director, said the kidnappers of Mayor Jeffrey Lim of Salug town were monitored to be heading toward the so-called “Triple SB” area, comprising the towns of Sibuco, Sirawai, Siocon and Baliguian.

Lost command rebels of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are said to be operating in the area, but Estilles said no group has yet claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

Lim was snatched by at least 10 armed men wearing ski masks and camouflage police uniforms near the bus terminal in Barangay Poblacion, Salug town at around 7 p.m. Monday.

Estilles said the armed men dragged Lim to a yellow multi-cab van that sped toward the coastal village of Caracol. Pursuing police forces later located the getaway vehicle, but it was already torched, he said.

Authorities suspect that Lim’s kidnappers could have escaped onboard a pumpboat and were headed toward the “Triple SB” area.

Estilles said blocking forces have been deployed in possible escape routes of the kidnappers, complemented by aerial assets of the Western Mindanao Command.

He said they believe the kidnappers are still in Zamboanga del Norte. 

Lim’s kidnappers have not established any contact yet. “We cannot ascertain yet as to what is the demand of the gunmen in taking Mayor Lim,” Estilles said.

The provincial government has convened its crisis management committee to handle the safe recovery of Lim, Estilles said.

Lim’s kidnapping came nearly four months after Australian national Warren Richard Rodwell was snatched in nearby Ipil town in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Rodwell, 52, a former soldier and married to a Filipina, was seized by seven armed men and initially brought to Basilan. His kidnappers have demanded $2-million ransom. 

Rodwell, according to reports, has been moved out of Basilan and brought to the Zamboanga Peninsula, but security officials declined to confirm or deny this.

Tawi-Tawi officials are also still exerting efforts to safely recover two foreign birdwatchers, Elwold Horn, 52, of Holland, and Lorenzo Vinceguerre, 47, who were seized in Panglima Sugala town last Feb. 1. – With Alexis Romero