ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Police and military authorities in this city and the nearby province of Basilan continue their search and rescue operations for two people kidnapped by gunmen recently.
The victims were identified as Marycris Cuartocruz, a volunteer nurse who was abducted Tuesday night from her residence in Barangay Manicahan, this city; and Lario Tam Delos Santos, a resort owner who was seized Wednesday in Lanote, Isabela City, Basilan.
The Crisis Management Committee (CMC) of Isabela City said search and rescue operations for the kidnap victims should continue as it stood firm in its "no ransom or board and lodging fee" policy.
Isabela City Mayor Cherrylin Akbar, who heads the CMC, said paying ransom or board and lodging fee to the kidnappers would only encourage the lawless elements to abduct other victims.
The kidnappers have not made any demands yet in exchange for the release of the hostages.
But Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) Director Edwin de Ocampo said a communication line has been established between the kidnappers of Cuartocruz and the victim's family.
The volunteer nurse, who works at the government-owned Zamboanga City Medical Center, reportedly contacted her mother, Elena, Thursday night and said she is in good condition as the kidnappers are treating her well.
De Ocampo said they have opened a communication line with Cuartocruz's family and relatives so they can call anytime if they need immediate assistance.
He also said that they are now validating information that the volunteer nurse is being held captive in one of the islands in the nearby province of Zamboanga Sibugay.
Task Force Marycris was created with Senior Superintendent Felixberto Candado as the head to focus on finding solution for the speedy release of Cuartocruz.
The Akbar-led CMC, on the other hand, meets daily or as the need arises to update its members and the family of Delos Santos.
The CMC is also working for the release of another captive, Rose Baranda, a trader from the town of Sumisip, Basilan.
Baranda was kidnapped last November 2 in the boundaries of Tipo-Tipo and Ungkaya Pukan towns while she was aboard a passenger jeepney traveling to Sumisip town.
Officials in this city and Basilan were saddened by the recent kidnapping incidents in the south, saying they were a setback in the development of the region. (Bong Garcia/Sunnex)
