Gunmen abduct Swiss national in S. Philippines
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Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels abducted a 72-year old Swiss national from his resort in Zamboanga City Sunday, a Philippine military official said.
Maj. Gen. Romeo Lustestica, commander of the Army 1st Infantry Division, told reporters Monday that initial information indicated that the victim, Charlie Riech, was taken to the island province of Basilan, a bailiwick of the Abu Sayyaf.
"We have initial reports that he (Riech) was brought to Basilan but we haven't confirmed that," he said. He added troops from the nearby town of Sibuco in Zamboanga del Norte were also alerted because it was also possible that the victim was brought there.
Lustestica said Riech, who is married to a Filipina, was having a picnic with his family at his private resort in Patalon village when he was abducted Sunday afternoon.
The suspects, clad in military and police uniforms, arrived at the resort aboard three pump boats and accosted Riech for a supposed drug-related charge.
The suspects also tried to seize a German national, a Carl Reichling, 67, who resisted and subsequently escaped. Lustestica said the kidnapping was planned by the group of MILF sub-leader Malista Malanca, who is based in Al Barka town in Basilan, along with Abu Sayyaf leader Khair Mundos.
Malanca men, identified as Imamul Mande, Musan Bunsang and three other cohorts, left from Guinanta village in Al Barka for Zamboanga City last Friday for Zamboanga City, aboard three pumpboats from Cambug village in Basilan. The group met with Mundos and a certain Ustadz from Landang Gua island in Zamboanga City and planned to kidnap unknown target in Zamboanga City.
Lustestica said Navy vessels were deployed for possible interdiction operation. A team from Philippine National Police Special Action Force was also dispatched to scour the Piglas group of islands. Lustestica said he is not aware of any ransom demanded by the suspects for the freedom of Riech.
Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat met up with Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, Naval Forces Western Mindanao chief Rear Admiral Pama and Task Force Zamboanga Chief Col. Santiago Baluyot and other military officials to discuss the kidnapping.
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu denied MILF's involvement in the kidnapping. "We have never engaged in such criminal activity. That is a ridiculous, baseless, (and) unfounded accusation," he said.
