President Arroyo has ordered authorities to step up efforts to resolve the spate of kidnappings in Mindanao as she mourned the death of one of the teachers held hostage in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde on Saturday said the President wanted authorities to the resolve the hostage crisis involving the teachers in Mindanao with the same fervor they have shown in attempting to secure the safe release of three Red Cross hostages held by Abu Sayyaf rebels.

“The President is grieving over that incident. She has ordered the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to assist the families of the victims,” Remonde said in a radio interview following reports that Noemi Mandi died in captivity due to complications arising from a recent medical operation.

“She has also, of course, ordered the Department of National Defense and Philippine National Police to focus on the case because that case is as important as any other kidnapping cases, even if the Red Cross case is being given more attention by the media,” he added.

The two other teachers seized by bandits last March 13 while on the way home in Zamboanga Sibugay, are Jocelyn Enriquez and Jocelyn Inion. The kidnappers reportedly demanded P 10 million in exchange for the freedom of the hostages.

Remonde assured that the government will continue to protect and promote the interests and welfare of teachers, particularly those working in “dangerous areas.”

“We would like to assure the teaching community that the government is not unresponsive about their situation,” he said.

He said soldiers and policemen are now being trained to serve as school teachers in far-flung areas threatened by bandits and communist insurgents.

Meanwhile, he said, the President is closely monitoring the hostage situation of Red Cross workers in Sulu province. He said the President has ordered the local crisis management team “to work harder” in negotiating the safe release of the Red Cross workers, who have been held captive since Jan. 15, 2009.

He said the government policy of letting the local crisis management team take the lead in the negotiations will remain because local leaders have a better understanding of the situation on the ground.

The military and police forces, Remonde added, will provide support and take the cue from the local committee led by Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan.