European tourists' abductors remain unknown

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

THE government authorities are still clueless who were behind the abduction of two European tourists in Tawi-Tawi, as the search to locate the hostages' whereabouts entered on its fifth day Monday.

The hostages, Ewold Horn, 52, of Holland and Lorenzo Vinciguerre, 47, of Switzerland were seized by five gunmen together with Filipino guide Ivan Sarenas, 35, last February 1.

ZAMBOANGA. Two engines of the 13-horse power motorized banca, used by the five gunmen when they seized two European tourists and their Filipino guide, were found. (Bong Garcia)

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The tourists were taking photographs of rare bird species off shore Parangan village, Panglima Sugala town, Tawi-Tawi when the gunmen aboard a twin-engine motorized banca arrived and seized them at gunpoint.

Sarenas managed to escape hours later as he jumped from the banca while the gunmen were transporting them.

Tawi-Tawi police director Senior Superintendent Rodelio Jocson said no one has called nor made demands in exchange for the release of the European tourists.

Meanwhile, Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahali said they tapped the assistance of all sectors to help them locate the victims.

Sahali said he also tapped the assistance of Moro National Liberation Front members in the province.

Jocson said the Naval Forces Western Mindanao command has deployed three gunboats around the area where the search is focused.

Jocson added that the twin-engine motorized banca used by the suspects were recovered in the shore of Languyan town.