by Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY, APR. 9 (PIA)--- Government authorities have intensified their hot pursuit operation against the abductors of Salug, Zamboanga del Norte Mayor Jeffrey Lim.
Mayor Lim was kidnapped by 10 armed men at about 7 o’clock Monday (April 2)evening at Salug Public Market and was brought to Baybayt Caracol where the multi-cab get-away vehicle was left abandoned.
Superintendent Kenneth Mission of the Zamboanga del Norte Police Provincial Office, the designated spokesperson of the Lim kidnapping case said the whole intelligence community is currently tracking down the whereabouts of Mayor Lim and his abductors, believed still hiding in the nearby municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte.
Supt. Mission said, joint elements of the military, police and other government law enforcers and force multipliers are scouring the boundaries of Salug, Leon Postigo, Godod, and Labason where Mayor Lim was believed kept by his abductors.
Simultaneously, Condor 3 of the Phil. Army also intensifies its sea patrol operations on the territorial water of the Zamboanga del Norte to ensure that the kidnappers and their captive won’t get out of the province.
Earlier, 101st Infantry Brigade Executive Officer and concurrent Civilian Military Officer said, elements of the Brigade have not enjoyed the two-day Holiday Day break given to all Christian soldiers of the Philippine Army during the Lenten season after the entire Brigade was placed under red alert status following the abduction of Mayor Lim.
Mission, said they are still clueless on the identity of the kidnappers nor their motive since they have not yet receive any information on whether the kidnappers have communicated with the family of the victims for any ransom demand. (ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)