Still no proof of life of Samal Island kidnap victims —police

Police have not received any proof of life of the three foreigners and a Filipina taken by armed men from a resort on Samal Island last month.

 

"Iyon nga ang hinihintay din namin (proof of life). Until now, they have not [made contact] with the family," Superintendent Antonio Rivera, spokesperson of the Davao regional police office, when asked in an interview on "News To Go" if they have received any proof of life of the victims from the kidnappers.

 

Canadian tourists John Ridsdel, 68, and Robert Hall, 50, Hall's girlfriend Marites Flor and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, 56 were taken by armed men from the Oceanview Resort last September 21.

 

Rivera said they are in close contact with the family of the Filipina and the management of Oceanview Resort, where the Norwegian kidnap victim worked as a manager.

 

Meanwhile, Rivera said that only one of the two men arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation Group (CIDG) in Davao City last Sunday night was a "person of interest" in the Samal Island kidnapping.

 

Rivera said that the suspect, who he declined to identify, is facing charges of kidnapping, serious illegal detention and murder.

 

He said that two suspects were arrested as part of the operation of CIDG's Task Force Tugis, which was formed to go after wanted criminals.

 

"Mayroon dumating na information na may possibility na may involvement itong isa sa dalawa," Rivera said when asked how the police knew that one of the arrested suspects was involved in the Samal Island kidnapping.

 

He said the Special Investigation Task Group on the Samal Island kidnapping are reviewing CCTV footage from the Oceanview Resort.

 

Rivera added that they are trying to get in touch with the witnesses from the resort.

 

"We are also trying to [get] in touch with the witnesses na nandoon sa resort for the possible identification sa isang nahuli ng CIDG," he said.

 

Rivera, meanwhile, said the police were still not sure if the group involved in the Samal Island kidnapping have links with the Abu Sayyaf Group.

 

He said that based on the names of the two suspects arrested by the CIDG, they could be members of an ethnic group in Davao. —ALG, GMA News