MALACAÑANG is optimistic that the abduction of two European birdwatchers in Tawi-Tawi will not scare tourists away even as it condemned the incident.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte is confident the incident will not affect the tourism industry especially the “More Fun in the Philippines” campaign.

“Our security forces are aware of the situation and are engaged in rescue operations. We have informed the embassies concerned and they will be updated  on latest developments,” Valte said.

The Palace official  said the Tawi-Tawi crisis management committee headed by Gov. Sadikul Sahali was immediately activated to handle all police and military operations.

“We condemn the  abduction and the national and local governments, as well as all agencies concerned, are working to ensure the resolution of the situation, the recovery and release of the men who remain in the hands of their captors, and the bringing to justice of the lawless elements involved,” Valte said.

Meanwhile the Department of Foreign Affairs has notified the embassies of the victims and will keep them informed on the situation.

As of press time, gunmen continued to hold on to Dutchman Elwold Horn, 52, and Swiss national Lorenzo Vinciguerra, 47 even as police reported that the victims’ Filipino guide managed to escape from the suspects’ clutches nearly 10 hours later.

Director Felicisimo Khu, head of the Philippine National Police Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Western Mindanao said they are still investigating the identities of the kidnappers whom they believed as affiliated with the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf Group.

He said the Filipino guide identified as Ivan Sadenas, 35, of Davao City, escaped by jumping off the pumpboat.

Khu did not elaborate on how Sadenas escaped but said he is already being interrogated at the Tawi-Tawi Police Provincial Office under Senior Supt. Rhodel Jocson.

“The abductors might be heading towards Sulu, thus, we have alerted police, Marines and Navy forces in the province,” Khu said.

The official met with Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Mujib Hataman to assess the situation and supervise the crisis management committee created to ensure the safe recovery of the two foreign captives.

Police and naval gunboats have been dispatched to Sulu to intercept the kidnappers who were on a pumpboat locally known as “papet.”

Gov. Sahali said the three victims along with another guide Nestor Cabuluas were on their way to the mainland from a bird watching expedition in Sitio Look-Look, Barangay Parangan, Panglima Sugala, when at least five heavily armed men dragged them into a pumpboat.

Cabaluas managed to escape.