Kidnapped victims returned home

Kareen Sokolov, the mother carrying her child Timothy together with Yaya Caroline Remetre 17 on her side escorted by the Police operatives arrived at the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO) in Pagadian City after they were freed by their abductors yesterday afternoon, February 8, 2013 in Ozamiz City. 

The victims were presented by PNP Provincial Director P/SSUPT Thomas Abellar to the media few minutes after their arrival at the Provincial Director’s Headquarter in Camp Abelon, Rizal Avenue Pagadian City 7016 Zamboanga del Sur.

Said victims were released by the kidnappers near Ozamiz City at about 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon, less than 36 hours after the incident.

It was learned that on February 7 at about 6:30 early morning the abductors covered the mouth and nose of the Yaya with a cloth containing chemicals that made her unconscious during the abduction in the vicinity of Rosario Homes Subdivision.

On the other hand, Intelligence record shows that there are at least 19 kidnap groups with over 500 armed members operating in Mindanao area in 2012.

Twelve (12) of these nineteen (19) identified kidnap groups were operating in western Mindanao area, known safe haven of Moro rebels and Islamic militants.

(To know more about the Kidnap-For-Ransom (KFR) groups operating in Mindanao Philippines - you may subscribe to Mindanao Weekly Political Violence, Insurgency and Terrorism Report)

New People's Army burned down heavy equipment in Alegria, Surigao del Norte

Suspected New People's Army rebels burned down heavy equipment (crane) owned by Dumlao Construction in Brgy. San Pedro, Alegria, Surigao del Norte around 9:20pm Monday, Feb. 4, 2013. According to 30IB Phil Army Spokesperson Capt. Steve Mangabat, 10 unidentified armed men believed to be members of the Guerilla Front 16 torched down and fired the said equipment which is being used in the ongoing construction of a bridge along the national highway of Brgy. San Pedro. Allegedly the torching of the equipment was due to the failure of the owner to pay extortion demands by the NPA. Recovered from the scene were empty shells of AK47. PNP Alegria & unit operatives are now conducting further investigation & cover operation of the area.

New People's Army rebels burn container van in Surigao del Sur

A container van, belonging to DOLE Company, was burned by armed men in Sitio Saungan, Brgy. Salvacion, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur, at around 8:30 a.m., February 1, 2013.

Loaded with banana fruits, the vehicle was traversing the national highway when flagged down by eight fully-armed rebels, believed to be from the NPA’s Guerilla Front 19A, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

The driver and helper of the truck were not hurt in the incident.

NPA rebels destroyed six hectares of banana plantations and burned 4 units of backhoe

Cost of damage may cost millions after heavily armed NPA rebels struck anew leaving behind a swath of destruction in Brgy. Anahao Daan, Tago, Surigao del Sur on January 18, 2013. The communist rebels devastated the banana plantation of DOLE STANFILCO at 9:00p.m. Chop down more than 15,000 fully grown bananas with fruits ready for harvest. As the rebels withdrew to Sitio Batawan 1, NPA fired at 4 units of backhoe and a mini bulldozer when they passed Sitio Ibo of the aforesaid barangay. These heavy equipment, owned by Edilberto Garay of Maa, Davao City, were reportedly parked along the road. Tago Police Station has intensified its intelligence monitoring to track the movement of the Maoist terrorists while nearby police stations were conducting checkpoints. PNP and AFP were directing its collaborative effort to run after the rebels who are believed to be under Guerilla Front 19B led by alias Susay.

Terrorist group threatens to kill Australian hostage (Video)

TERRORIST group Al Harakatul Al-Islamiyyah has said it will kill Australian hostage Warren Rodwell, in the latest threat to the Australian government.

The threat was accompanied by a new photograph of Mr Rodwell surrounded by masked gunmen. According to social media website Rappler, a post on Facebook from Tuesday by the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group Al Harakatul Al-Islamiyyah shows the gaunt figure of the Australian hostage.

The message contained a threat to kill Mr Rodwell if ransom money was not paid to the group immediately.