Task force activate to search and rescue Hyrons couple

October 9, 2019

Government forces created a task force to focus on the search and rescue of the Hyrons couple abducted in Zamboanga del Sur last week.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the Armed Forces Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) commander, activated Joint Task Force Hyrons to rescue Allan and Wilma Hyrons.

"Composed of WestMinCom's Joint Task Forces and selected units, Joint Task Force Hyrons is being commanded by Maj. Gen. Roberto Ancan who will ensure that synchronized actions are made to track and apprehend the perpetrators and expedite the prompt rescue of the couple," he said.

"The JTF Hyrons will be unrelenting in its pursuit of the perpetrators, neutralizing them and effecting the rescue of the kidnap victims," he added.

Sobejana said all "available naval and air assets in the area are being utilized by Task Force Hyrons to conduct intensive maritime and aerial operations to intercept and block all possible withdrawal routes of the perpetrators."

"Aside from the air and naval deployments, troops on the ground are undertaking search and rescue operations in areas all over Zamboanga Peninsula to narrow down the route and location of the kidnap for ransom group", he said.

The Hyron couple were abducted by armed men in Alindahaw, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur at 6:30 pm on October 4, 2019.

Sobejana said the task force is conducting search and rescue operation in Zamboanga Peninsula and its nearby areas.

"Yes in Zamboanga del Sur and in Moro Gulf area, in the coastal area of Lanao del Sur, going to Cotabato. So that is where the Joint Task Force Hyrons were looking at. It almost covers the whole Zamboanga Peninsula the Moro Gulf, and the Basilan Strait," he said. Robina Asido/DMS