News has broken today – 4 foreigners (2 male, 2 female) have been kidnapped in Pikit, North Cotabato. It is a place that I have been to on a few occasions. I have already been contacted by people wondering if I was one of those who was abducted.
For anybody who reads this blog, or other blogs of mine and has a concern – you can rest comfortably. I was not one of those abducted or involved in the case at all.
I do pray that the situation will be resolved quickly and that those who were taken will remain safe and healthy.
About MindanaoBob
We are all glad I am sure to hear Bob, that it was not you that was kidnapped, otherwise the friends of Mindanao Bob would have to have a meeting would they not ? Again as I alluded to on the main Mindanao Blog, these kidnappings will do nothing to assure foreigners visiting Mindanao, that they are not immune from being kidnapped in broad daylight.
Of course the e mails will continue to flow East to your inbox, especially when this type of activity comes to the forefront of the news yet again, these events are not as common as some would think, and you have mentioned before about being street wise when it comes to living with risk in the Philippines.
We do not know the circumstances of what happened to these 4 foreigners, and until we do, it would be hard to come to any conclusion about the matter, but it does show that foreigners in the Philippines wherever they are, must remain vigilant to the possibility that this could happen to them, remember the old saying “Oh thats over there, and that wouldnt happen to me” I think we all have to be on our guard, as it is in London, we don’t let the terrorist’s spoil our enjoyment, but at the same time, we are vigilant to the possibility that in this day and age, we all live with risks, and we have to accept that being kidnapped is one of them, I rest my case.
Vigilance is the name of the game–And it’s not just limited to places where there are terrorist and kidnapping activities. Whether it’s here in the Philippines, the streets of New York, or even the grounds of DisneyWorld in Florida, you can let your hair down but–Keep Your Hat On!!! I guess I’ve seen and heard too many bad things out there already that, no matter where I go, I’m always feeling out my sorroundings. It has become second nature to me that my wife always teases me about it. She often gets mad at me when I’m always imagining the worse in other people’s motives. I can’t recall where I read or heard more than once that, “we’re all inherently bad; we just tried to be good”. A quotes like that makes us re-evaluate our existence in this world, in relation to others.
Sometimes, even the most tranquil and sanitized situation is an invitation for trouble, because every one is supposively be relaxed and doing their own thing. Remember the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan a few years ago? Who had ever thought that a band of armed men on small boats would kidnap tourists relaxing on the beach? To be street-smart these days, you not only have to look out for what the bad guy(s) is going to do–that’ll be too late. Now you have to think like the bad guy(s). Till next time….
Hi Pete – all is resolved now. It was taken care of quickly enough that perhaps it won’t cause a flurry of e-mails.
Hi Julius – Vigilance is always an important strategy.
being in many parts of the world as i have. it is always a good idea to be careful wherever you may roam
Very true, Ken! And it applies to any location in the world!
Just in case you were wondering, it wasn’t me either.
Hi Elisa – Actually, when I heard the news, I told Feyma – “I hope this is not Elisa. She was so worried, I would not want anything to happen to her.” I figured it was not, because this is outside the area where you intended to visit, but still, not that far away!
Yes, when I read the news online in INQUIRER.NET, the first thing that came in my mind is you. Good to know you are safe there.
Hi Jio – Thanks for your concern. Glad that it was unfounded!