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ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/22 September) — Threats of kidnapping sent through text messages have forced some teachers in a secondary school here not to report for work, disrupting classes for the past weeks.
At least five teachers at the Ramon Enriquez Memorial School in Barangay Labuan received the same text messages which were sent on separate occasions from a sender identified only as Abdul.
A teacher who requested anonymity said they tried to call the number used by the culprit but it could not contacted.
The teacher added that maybe the sender put off the mobile phone or changed the subscriber’s identification module (SIM) card to avoid detection.
The police and military have tightened security measures at the school.
City police director Senior Supt. Edwin de Ocampo said he deployed policemen in coordination with the military’s Task Force Zamboanga to the school which lies 36 kilometers from the city proper.
De Ocampo said he also ordered the conduct of foot patrols aside from guarding the campus.
He said he has also ordered to trace, if possible, the sender of the text messages.
The school happens to be near the residence of businesswoman Olivia Barredo, who was kidnapped last March 3 in Barangay Labuan.
Barredo, whose family is into the pharmacy and hardware business, was freed last April 20 in Zamboanga Sibugay province. (MindaNews)