EDITORIAL - No isolated case

It’s an isolated case, Malacañang assured the public yesterday, as several countries issued travel advisories following the kidnapping last Monday of three foreigners and a Filipina in a resort on Samal Island in Davao del Norte.

A check online will easily debunk the Palace assurance. It’s not an isolated case, and it’s not going to be the last unless the government responds decisively and ends this latest hostage incident quickly. Samal Island, a popular travel destination, will suffer the consequences of a prolonged hostage situation, with other tourist spots around the country also affected by the fallout.

Two Canadian tourists, their Filipina companion and the Norwegian resort manager who were seized by about a dozen gunmen on two motorized outriggers last Monday have reportedly been taken to a remote mountain region in Davao Oriental. The kidnapping has prompted travel advisories from the foreign victims’ countries as well as Australia, Britain and New Zealand.

The attack is particularly troubling because it was staged in an area that is supposed to be relatively safe. The Regional Peace and Order Council in the Davao area is chaired by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who is known for treating troublemakers with an iron hand.

The kidnapping has also raised concern about the safety of participants in the upcoming leaders’ summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. The resorts of Samal Island could have lured some of the APEC participants for a visit.

Only a quick resolution of the crisis can salvage the situation. As of yesterday, however, security officials still had not identified the kidnappers, with some officials saying the trail had gone cold. President Aquino must lean harder on his security officials to resolve this kidnapping ASAP.