Kidnapped Filipino teacher dies in captivity, police says

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 27, 2009) – Filipino authorities on Friday said it received reports that one of three kidnapped teachers had died in captivity in Mindanao island.

The teachers - Jocelyn Enriquez, Jocelyn Inion and Noime Mande – were seized by bandits March 13 while on their way home in the village of Bangkaw-Bangkaw in the town of Naga in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Police said it received reports that Mande had died from complications from a previous surgery. Military officials said they heard about the report from the local media, but there were no confirmation whether it was true or not.

“We heard about it, but we have no reports whether the report is true or not,” Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Police said the kidnappers have previously demanded P10 million ransoms in exchange for the safe release of the hostages.

Another report said the teachers had been handed over to the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan Island, where the terrorist group is still holding three other government teachers kidnapped in January in Zamboanga City; a nine-year old boy snatched in Lamitan City and a Sri Lankan peace worker seized.

An Abu Sayyaf faction is also holding three Red Cross workers kidnapped in January in the province of Sulu. (Mindanao Examiner)

Gunmen seized 3 teachers in southern Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 13, 2009) – Gunmen have seized three government teachers on Friday afternoon in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga Sibugay, officials said.

Officials said the three - Jocelyn Enriquez, Jocelyn Inion and Noime Mande – were teachers at an elementary school in the village of Bangkaw-Bangkaw in the town of Naga.

They were seized at around 3.40 p.m. and forced to a pump boat. “The navy already deployed ships for possible maritime interdiction,” Army Lt. Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command, told the Mindanao Examiner.

No group claimed responsibility for the latest abduction, but rebels are actively operating in the province.

In January, suspected Abu Sayyaf militants also kidnapped three state teachers – Quizon G. Freires, 28; Janette C. Delos Reyes, 29; and Rafael L. Mayonado, 24 – at sea after intercepting their boat while they were returning to Zamboanga City from Sacol Island.

The teachers are being held captive in Basilan Island, south of Zamboanga City. The kidnappers demanded P6 million ransoms for the freedom of the trio. (Mindanao Examiner)