By HERBIE GOMEZ Editor in chief and LITO RULONA Correspondent MISAMIS Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano yesterday called on the Abu Sayyaf to free coast guards Gringo Villaruz of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, and Rod Alain Pagaling of Carmen, this city, and barangay chairman Robert Bulagao of Aliguay, Zamboanga del Norte, “in the spirit of Ramadan.” Emano appealed to the abductors to be understanding, and have some consideration. “These men have not done anything wrong. Neither are they enemies of the cause of their kidnappers,” said Emano even as he expressed sadness that one of the captives comes from his hometown Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. Emano pleaded for mercy, and appealed to the abductors to release the two coast guards and the barangay chairman back to their loved ones. Emano said he was gathering information about the abduction from Zamboanga del Norte officials, and the capitol would help “within the legal limits.” But as Emano issued the appeal, police officials in Dapitan City said the fate of the captives were no longer in their hands. Dapitan police director Supt. Devin Ceriales told Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) there was nothing the police can do to rescue Villaruz, Pagaling, and barangay chairman Bulagao. Ceriales said the group was no longer in Zamboanga del Norte. “What we can do is to wait for the abductors to contact us,” he said. Ceriales said authorities have no idea where the group brought the victims. He said the police could not even be certain that the abductors are members of the Abu Sayyaf. The Coast Guard commander in the region however confirmed that the Abu Sayyaf was behind the abduction. And if the Abu Sayyaf was really behind the abduction, Ceriales said it would be difficult for authorities to get inside their camp. “As of this time, we have no update. And there is no way for us to contact them. We are just waiting for them to contact us,” he said. Ceriales said a task force has already been created headed by Zamboanga del Norte director Supt. Redentor Lantaca Retusto of Zamboanga del Norte, and the police have opened communication lines with the military’s Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) in Zamboanga City.