By Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG
CITY - The family of the victim
who was abducted last October 7, 2015 here sought the help of the city government
for the local media to refrain from broadcasting or publishing further details
on the abduction issue.
In a press conference held at the mayor’s
conference room on Monday, Mayor Evelyn T. Uy issued an official statement appealing
to the local media for a news blackout on the abduction of former Italian
priest Rolando del Torchio.
Mayor Uy said the immediate family
requested news blackout on the kidnapping to give full leverage to the hot
pursuit operation launched by the police. Unconfirmed reporting might potentially
jeopardize the operation and endanger the life of the victim.
According to Atty. Antonio, the family’s legal
counsel, they have still to receive communication from the group who is holding
the victim. She also appealed to the members of the media for cooperation and
be responsible in their reporting.
He assured that any major development on
the abduction will be immediately relayed to the media for dissemination.
The Italian businessman was abducted on October
7 by 11 by armed men inside his business establishment at the Andres Bonifacio
College Complex, Dipolog City and
taken aboard a silver-metallic
L-300 van with place no. TMY-490.