Friday, July 11, 2008 Speak out: Silent rescue By Gen. Roger H. Deinla (Ret)
MEDIA'S role was exemplified in one of the fastest successful resolution and annihilation of kidnappers and other suspects in Zamboanga City in early 1992.
It was resolved in less than 24 hours.
There were no scoop hunters and the local media recognized the imperative of secrecy in the hostage crisis.
Early evening of Jan. 9, 1992, Mario Tan, owner of Marcel Trading Corp. and his 11-year-old son Mark Anthony were kidnapped in downtown Zamboanta City.
They were brought in their own vehicle to CDCP, Port Pilar where a motorized pump boat was waiting.
Eight kidnappers led by Sukarno Abdul from Indanan, Sulu loaded the hostages and left for their secured area.
Within few minutes, Le Peng Weh, co-owner of Marcel Trading, informed me of the kidnapping and expressed confidence
the case would be resolved as early as possible without media attention (the Chinese way).
Moments later, Benson Dakay of Shemberg also called to offer moral support and asked me to extend immediate assistance to victims and family.
Considering the extent, scope and magnitude as the operational area and the self-imposed deadline of 24 hours, I dispensed meeting with the peace and order councils.
I instead called on some Muslim leaders and assets individually to get Order of Battle data.
My analysis suggested that the kidnappers were on their way to Sulu but they had to stop somewhere along the route for supplies and personal necessities that they could get at one isolated place in Tongkil where a police/marine detachment was located.
Alarm was immediately issued to some police/military units in Basilan and Sulu as special team was ready to go upon orders.
Aerial recon was requested along probable routes from then Southcom commander Gumersindo Yap, but it was important to intercept kidnappers before reaching Jolo mainland and to prevent ladderized ransom that could rise to P50 million.
As luck would have it, the kidnappers ran out of fuel at Tongkil and attempted to buy supplies from the residents, who reported their presence to police/Marine elements.
In the ensuing encounter, six kidnappers were killed and two were captured.
Tan was slightly wounded while son Mark Anthony was unhurt.
In late afternoon, Gen. Yap proceeded to Tongkil onboard two choppers to pick-up Tan, Mark Anthony and the two captured kidnappers who were turned over to me for tactical interrogation.
That day (Jan. 10), four more were neutralized and the hostage victims were returned to their family without media fanfare.
