Officials from the 1st Infantry Tabak division has confirmed that the foreign missionaries in Zamboanga del Sur get fresh threats of a possible abduction from an unidentified armed group.

No less than Major General Nehemias Pajarito, Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Tabak Division issued a statement on a national paper ordering heightened alert in the 2nd district of Zamboanga del Sur where Italian priests are doing their humanitarian missions.

Troopers from the 53rd Infantry Battalion are also keeping a close eye to avert whatever plans such as abduction that this group may be planning.

The four foreign priests are Italians assigned in Lakewood and the rest of them are doing missions in the towns belonging to the Baganian area.

A source told the Pagadian Express and www.unsapa.com that the said missionaries have been cautioned by authorities to temporarily leave Zamboanga del Sur for their safely but they apparently ignored the advise.

According to the foreign missionaries they are already immune and used to threats so they will not leave Zamboanga del Sur and instead continue their mission to be of service to the people.

However, General Pajarito assured the safety of the missionaries in Zamboanga del Sur. He said the 2nd district is being saturated by the military and intelligence network that has been in place.

Last update : 06-02-2008 12:10

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