Authorities believe Abu Sayyaf behind abduction of Filipina, 3 foreigners

PHOTO from AFP Eastern Mindanao Command

TAGUM CITY, Philippines – Local authorities in the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos), which is part of Davao del Norte believed members of the Abu Sayyaf could be behind the kidnapping of three foreigners and a Filipina there on Monday night.

This despite the recovery of a note allegedly left by the abductors, said Igacos Mayor Aniano Antalan.

“Katarungan sa aming commander By NPA,” Antalan quoted the one-liner note.

Police officials, however, admitted they were having a hard time ascertaining the identities of the suspects as no one has come out to admit the crime or issue demands for the release of the victims, Senior Supt. Samuel Gadingan, Davao del Norte police chief.

The victims were identified as John Ridsel and Robert Hall, both Canadians, and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad. The Filipina, said to be the girlfriend of one of the Canadians, was unidentified.

Gadingan said authorities on Tuesday have found a piece of paper near the vicinity of the Oceanview Resort in Camudmod, Babak district, supposedly left behind by the suspects.

“Yes, there was this note that said (the kidnapping) was in retaliation for the death of the suspects’ commander. But we’re still
validating it,” said Gadingan.

Mayor Antalan said he does not believe the NPA was behind the abduction.

“In their (note) they claimed they’re NPA but (the communist guerrillas) have no means of pulling off such kidnapping. They’re not known to use speedboats,” Antalan told Inquirer by mobile phone.

Capt. Alberto Caber, regional military spokesperson, said about 30 foreigners where present when armed men arrived and forcibly took the victims.
“Reports said the perpetrators were speaking English and Tagalog (Filipino),” said Caber. Frinston Lim