Cops to tap Facebook help in unmasking mayor’s captors

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Authorities said they will tap social networking sites such as Facebook to help them identify the suspects in the abduction last Monday of Mayor Jeffrey Lim of Salug, Zamboanga del Norte.

Supt. Kenneth Mission, the spokesperson of Task Force Jeffrey, told the  Inquirer that police will post the computer-aided sketches of four of the suspected kidnappers on social networking sites as this could help uncover their identities.

The computer-aided sketches were produced through descriptions given by at least two eyewitnesses.

“We will explore all possible social networking sites other than supplying all police stations and military units with copies of the sketches,” Mission said.

Former Salug Mayor Jesus Lim, the victim’s father, said the kidnappers have not made contact with the family since the abduction on Monday.

“There is still no development,” he said.

The elder Lim said what was worrying the family more was that the kidnapped town executive is hypertensive and has to take his medicines.

Mission said at least 500 policemen and soldiers were involved in the effort to track down the suspects in the abduction of the mayor.

He said the Army, through the 1st Infantry Division, has given its full support to the rescue effort.

Military officers, he said, committed soldiers belonging to special forces and equipment like boats and helicopters to help in the rescue.

The mayor was the third kidnap victim in Zamboanga del Norte but he was the first victim from Salug town.

The elder Lim said the town is so peaceful that his son was comfortable walking around without any security escort.

Lim had just finished having dinner 7 p.m. on Monday when he was abducted by eight to 10 armed men.

His family said, shortly before being abducted, the town executive played tennis and decided to have his dinner in one of the eateries at the Salug bus terminal.

“He likes to eat in an eatery near the bus station, which is just about 200 meters from his office,” the elder Lim said.

He said his son had no known enemies.

“He is a friendly person. He likes to be with the people, mingle with them and I don’t remember him having enemies here,” the elder Lim said.

Criminality continues to reign in many parts of the country amid calls for the Aquino administration to put an end to the culture of impunity that festered under the administration of President Aquino’s predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao