Tawi-Tawi abduction won't affect tourism, Palace says

Thursday, February 2, 2012

MALACAÑANG on Thursday assured that the recent kidnapping incidents in Mindanao will not affect the influx of tourists in the country.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Philippines is not the only country that deals with abduction incidents and the government is doing its best to secure local and foreign tourists.

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On Wednesday, two foreigners identified as Elwold Horn, a 52-year-old Dutch national and Lorenzo Vinciguerra, a 47-year-old Swiss national, were abducted in the village of Parangan in the town of Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi.

Authorities said the victims were aboard a motorized boat and were taking pictures of a rare bird species when five armed suspects onboard another boat seized them.

The foreigners' tour guide, Ivan Sarenas, a native of Davao, was also abducted but was able to escape by jumping off the kidnappers' boat.

Valte confirmed that Sarenas has escaped and currently being debriefed by the police.

She said a crisis management committee has been activated to locate the two European nationals.

"In the wake of initial reports on the situation, the Tawi-Tawi crisis management committee was immediately activated; Governor Sadikul Sahali, through the crisis management committee, is in charge of all police and military operations," she said.

She added that joint elements of the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Navy, and Philippine Marines are now conducting search operations.

Malacañang condemned the abduction and assured that the government is working to ensure the safe recovery and release of the kidnapped victims.

The Palace also vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Valte said the Department of Foreign Affairs has notified the embassies of the nationals concerned, "and will keep them abreast of all relevant information and updates on the situation".

She, likewise, advised tourists visiting the country to inquire with the DFA or their own embassies, regarding advisories on conditions that may affect their travel plans.

Valte said the Palace is optimistic that the campaign of the Tourism department to lure in foreign tourist will not be affected by this recent incident.

"Because of a recent slogan, the government has taken steps to ensure the rehabilitation NAIA Terminal 1 and as well as other initiatives coming from the DOT, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and other agencies that are concerned to bring in more tourists in the coming years,” she said.

Kidnappings in Mindanao, particularly of foreign nationals have been a major concern of Philippine authorities. Many of these cases were perpetrated by the Mindanao-based Muslim extremist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), which was founded in the 1990s. ASG is also being blamed for the worst terrorist attacks in the country.

In 2000, the group kidnapped 21 western tourists from a Malaysian island resort and brought them by boat to Jolo. The hostages were released after ransom amounting to millions of dollars was paid.

The Abu Sayyaf also kidnapped three Americans the following year, along with a group of Filipino tourists.

During a rescue attempt, one of the Americans was beheaded and another was killed. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)