Zamboanga Peninsula || IX Guide of abducted Europeans escapes
Guide of abducted Europeans escapes
Friday, 03 February 2012 00:00
ZAMBOANGA City--The Filipino tour guide who was seized this week with two European tourists off Tawi-Tawi has managed to escape from their abductors. Tawi-Tawi police director Senior Supt. Rodelio Jocscon yesterday said Ivan Sarenas, 35, of Davao City, is now in their custody. Sarenas, Ewold Horn, 52, of HolLand, Lorenzo Vinciguerre, 47, from SwitzerLand, were abducted by five gunmen Wednesday off Parangan, Panglima Sugala town. They were aboard a motorized banca and taking photographs of rare bird species when the gunmen aboard another motorized banca arrived and seized them at gunpoint.
Jocson said Sarenas managed to jump over board shortly before 3 pm Wednesday while the gunmen were bringing them towards one of the isLand towns of Tawi-Tawi. Sarenas, a member of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, swam to safety and was recovered by fishermen of Languyan town, Jocson said. He said the fishermen hid Sarenas when they sensed the gunmen were tailing him.
"Though the suspects were armed they did not shoot him so as not to alarm the public," he said. He said the fishermen brought Sarenas to the police station of Panglima Sugala town around 7 p.m. Jocson said he personally went to Panglima Sugala police station, fetched and accompanied Sarenas to the provincial headquarters in Bongao, the capital town.
Jocson disclosed they have intensified the search for the two European tourists but gave no other details. Jocson added the search is focused "on a certain area" where the European tourists were believed are being held. He said they have activated the Crisis Management Committee and there are efforts by the police, military and local government to recover the European hostages. He said they are also verifying the ownership of the motorized banca used by the gunmen. The gunmen have burned the motorized banca to conceal its markings. PNA
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