2 Cabinet execs tasked to ensure safe release of Yusoph

Two Cabinet secretaries were told to look after efforts in securing safe and immediate release of Nuraldin Yusoph, the 22-year-old son of Comelec Commissioner Elias who was kidnapped on Sunday night. Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno and Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales were given these orders by outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang on Wednesday afternoon. President Arroyo cited the case’s urgency since it involves "the son of a very high-ranking Comelec official who is actually supervising the partial elections in Lanao, Lanao province," Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza said. Armed men took the younger Yusoph while visiting a mosque in Bgy. Dansalang, Marawi City around 7:30 p.m. of Sunday evening. The kidnappers, who later kept in touch with the Comelec Commissioner, demanded the nullification of election results in the towns of Malabang, Pilong, Taraka, and Masiu in exchange for his son's release. The Philippine National Police’s special task force on kidnapping and police forces in Mindanao are working together to bring the kidnappers to justice. “For now we are still in the process of investigations, that we cannot really reveal whatever findings that we are pursuing for now. So let the investigations proceed, as our special units already in Mindanao are doing their investigations," said PNP deputy director general Edgardo Acuña. For its part, Comelec Chairman Jose Melo said they remain hopeful for a peaceful solution to the abduction. He, however, assured that no negotiations with the kidnappers would be undertaken. No plans have been made to increase security personnel of Comelec officials and their families, Melo added. “It’s not affecting the morale in the sense na natatakot sila," Melo said. "No, we are just doing our job and we know that, iyun ay kasama talaga minsan sa kalokohan ng mga ibang losing na political factions." (It’s not affecting the morale in the sense that they’re scared. But sometimes, these incidents are just part of the harassment of losing political factions.) - RJAB Jr/KBK, GMANews.TV