Difference between revisions of "Tawi-Tawi Province, Philippines"

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==[[Tawi-Tawi News]]==
==[[Tawi-Tawi News]]==
'''MNLF linked to abduction of 2 foreigners'''
'''Kidnapping no effect on tourism'''
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/11/12/mnlf-linked-abduction-2-foreigners
*Source: http://www.tempo.com.ph/2012/kidnapping-no-effect-on-tourism/#.TzjT906PXJc
*02/12/2012 12:22 AM | Updated as of 02/12/2012 12:22 AM
*Feb 13th, 2012
:by  Honor Blanco Cabie
:by  JUN RAMIREZ






ZAMBOANGA, Philippines – Police said they identified a group of young members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) as possible suspects in the abduction of two Europeans in Tawi-Tawi more than a week ago.
Manila, Philippines – The recent abduction of two foreigners in Tawi-Tawi hardly affected the influx of foreign tourists into the country.
 
According to statistics from the Bureau of Immigration (BI), a total of 83,367 foreigners and Balikbayans arrived in the country from Feb. 2 to Feb. 5, a few days after bandits kidnapped Swiss nationals Lorenzo Vinciguerra and Ewold Horn in Tawi-Tawi.
Police Director Felicisimo Khu, Jr., director of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO), said there are indications that Ewold Horn and Lorenzo Vinciguerra were taken by third generation members of the MNLF in Tawi-Tawi.
BI statistics also showed that a total of 19,505 foreigners and Balikbayans arrived at the Ninoy Aquino Interrnational Airport during the four-day period.
 
On a nationwide scale, the statistics showed that 11,980 Koreans, 9,355 Americans and 5,116 Japanese arrived in the country in the same period.
Khu said a possible motive is jealousy among the locals. "These foreign birdwatchers when they go to the area, hire locals to serve as their guides and security." Khu said. "One group was denied."
Chinese nationals are next in the list, followed by Australians, Canadians, Taiwanese, and Malaysians.
 
BI officials said the statistics prove that there is a continuing influx of foreigners and Balikbayans into the country despite the string of negative travel advisories from Western countries.
Khu said they are giving the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi time to negotiate with the abductors, who are said to be still hiding in Panglima Sugala town. "Governor Sahali is sending an emissary," Khu revealed.
They said an average of 10,000 tourists arrived at daily at the NAIA, the country’s premiere port.
 
Department of Tourism (DoT) officials also downplayed the effect of the advisories, citing the 3.9 million tourists who arrived in the country last year compared to the 3.7 million who came in 2010.
The police officer also showed to the news team a copy of the email sent by a certain Mustapha Muallam, using Ivan Sarenas' hacked email address, to the group of birdwatchers, where Sarenas is a member.
 
Muallam, who identified himself as one of the abductors, demanded for the pull-out of police and military operatives in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. "But when he was asked to present proof of life of the victims, he was not able to comply."
 
Khu believes Muallam is "someone who is merely trying to confuse things."


==[[:Category:Tawi-Tawi, Philippines Photo Gallery|Tawi-Tawi, Philippines Photo Gallery]]==
==[[:Category:Tawi-Tawi, Philippines Photo Gallery|Tawi-Tawi, Philippines Photo Gallery]]==