Military joins police in rescue of 'Duterte' couple

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The military joined the police in the search and rescue of couple surnamed Duterte who were forcibly abducted Friday night in Siocon town, Zamboanga del Norte, a security official said.

 

Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said intensified operations are continuously launched by the troops of the Joint Task Forces of Zamboanga and Basilan to rescue Jose Duterte, 60, and his wife Jessica Duterte, 52, who were abducted at Barangay Sta. Maria, Siocon town.

 

The couple was forcibly taken from their residence past 7 p.m. by seven unidentified gunmen wearing bonnets and fled aboard a motorized pumpboat towards the adjacent coastal town of Sirawai. 

 

Police in Siocon town could not say yet if the abduction of the couple was a kidnapping as no group claimed responsibility and no demand was relayed to the victims’ family, who are surviving only on coconut farming in their parcel of land.

 

Petinglay said the Navy had maximized its intelligence monitoring and alerted the Naval Task Groups in all areas to intercept and preempt the landing of the suspects’ getaway pumpboat.

 

Westmincom chief Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. appealed the cooperation also of the family of the victims and anyone who could provide information that would help them rescue the victims.

 

Galvez said they commiserate with the victims’ family and assured them that efforts have been exerted by the military and police for the safe recovery of the couple.

 

“The command continues to assist the police and local government units in tracking down the perpetrators and rescuing the victims,” Galvez said.