1 of 3 Naga teachers kidnapped is dead

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines– The Crisis Management Committee (CMC) handling the kidnapping case of the three teachers in Zamboanga Sibugay has received information that one of the hostages died while in captivity, an official disclosed.

The information disclosed that Noime Mandi passed away due to complications arising from Mandi’s recent medical surgery, the official said.

Chief Insp. Alex Lorenzo, Zamboanga Sibugay police spokesman, on Friday disclosed that the information about Mandi’s death was confirmed by an informant based in Basilan province, where the teachers were taken.

Mandi along with Jodelyn Enriquez and Jocelyn Inion were seized by a group of pirates led by Kamsa Asdanal last March 13 while they were traveling from the village of Bangkaw-Bangkaw to the town proper of Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Asdanal’s group has turned over the teachers last Sunday to the Abu Sayyaf group led by Furuji Indaman in the island province of Basilan, south of this city.

However, Lorenzo said it was not immediately known as to when Mandi died except that the hostage passed away while they are already in Basilan province.

Lorenzo said Mandi was bringing with her medicines that were good “only for that day” when the pirates kidnapped them last March 13 off shore Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Lorenzo disclosed that the CMC contacted the kidnappers last March 23 and requested them to show proof of life “but the hostages were not allowed to talk.”

He disclosed that the CMC is working it out to retrieve Mandi’s body.