[PhilStar] The kidnappers of three foreigners and a Filipino woman at a resort last week were reportedly Abu Sayyaf militants who passed themselves off as communist insurgents, a source said yesterday. The source maintained that the hostages are now in Sulu.He said, "The kidnappers, believed to be local contacts of the Abu Sayyaf, intentionally used New People's Army as their cover to mislead pursuing government troops. They even left a note declaring that they are seeking justice for their commander."
The deception paid off and gave the kidnappers time to escape with their hostages, traversing the coastal areas of Davao Gulf towards Sarangani province while security forces pursued them in the mountains of Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur. Along the way, the kidnappers transferred the hostages to their waiting Abu Sayyaf patrons who brought them to Sulu.
Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad said that all leads being pursued in the Davao region have turned out to be false. He also admitted that there were indications that the militants, with their hostages, managed to slip through the military and police land and naval blockade.