by Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY, APR. 16(PIA)---The League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Zamboanga del Norte Chapter(LMP-ZANORTE) has passed a resolution urging Governor Rolando Yebes to create a task force which would respond to high-profiled crimes like kidnapping.
The resolution was passed by Katipunan Mayor Crisostomo Eguia during the recent meeting of the local LMP in Salug, Zamboanga del Norte following the abduction of Mayor Jeffrey Lim of the said municipality.
Mayor Lim was kidnapped by 10 armed men at the bus terminal of Salug, Monday evening (April2) and was brought to Barangay Caracol, where the yellow Multi-cab get-away vehicle was abandoned.
LMP-Znorte President, Polanco Mayor Anacleto Olvis said the meeting is the LMP’s expression of sympathy to their fellow mayor and to show solidarity and support in the rescue operation.
Olvis has called upon all Local Chief Executives of the province to initiate security measures to ensure their safety.
“Nanghinaut ko nga wala nay laing kidnapping nga mahitabo dinhi sa atong probinsiya ilabi na sa kauban natong mga Mayor,” Mayor Olvis said in Cebuano.
Sibuco Mayor Norbidieri Edding, who initially suggested for the creation of the task force stressed that the proposed task force will be similar to Task Force Zamboanga and Task Force Davao which have been reportedly proven effective in those cities.
Edding disclosed that the mayors of the province have also agreed to put up funds for the proposed task force.
Gov. Yebes has initially expressed his support to the plan of the mayors as he promised to take up the proposal in the next meeting of the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC).
Meanwhile, government authorities have not yet identified the group behind the abduction of Mayor Lim as joint military and police operatives are still scouring the suspected areas of the province where the kidnap-victim was believed being kept by his abductors.(ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)
