Hot Pursuit Operations against Kidnappers Ongoing In Marawi City

MAS YAHYA

Marawi City, Lanao del Sur

March 30, 2017

The military is in hot pursuit of five kidnappers believed to be members of a local terrorist group who abducted innocent children and two others at a private school in Barangay Marinaut, this city last Tuesday, March 28 at 7:00 AM, a military report said.

In a statement, the Philippine Army 1st Infantry Tabak Division said the victims were identified as Mobarak Cosain, 14, and Hanifah Sarifada, 12, both residents of Barangay Molundo, Lanao del Sur, and students of Dansalan College Foundation, Inc. 

The two other companions are not yet identified as of press time.

A concerned citizen reported the incident to the Marawi police station which revealed that while the victims were travelling to their school, they were forcibly carted away by the five unidentified kidnappers using a Toyota Avanza colored grey.

The report said the suspects were carrying firearms and wearing face masks when they alighted from their vehicle to abduct the minor-victims.. 

Col. Fortes, Comdr, 103rd brigade based in Kampo Ranao here said their ground troops were on hot pursuit of the suspects. He said mobile operations are on the go and activated checkpoints are all over Marawi City to bring back the hostages and apprehend the perpetrators.

BGen Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, 1sg ID Division appealed for the public support.

"We are again calling on our partner agencies, stakeholders and constituents to help us and support our endeavor to locate and rescue the said kidnap victims and stop these terroristic acts that create fear and danger to our community," BGen Bautista said.