Armed men kidnap college vice president in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  – Heavily armed unidentified gunmen abducted the second ranking official of Basilan State College (BSC) yesterday night in Isabela City, Basilan, according to Basilan Vice Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakalahul.

Orland Fajardo, BSC vice president was kidnapped by 10 armed men inside his residence in Barangay Sumagdang, which is just in front of the school at 7:30 last night.

Sakalahul said no one has claimed responsibility yet in the abduction that came barely a night after the Abu Sayyaf beheaded one of its three hostages and dumped the head in the plaza of Isabela City Wednesday night.

“The gunmen forcibly barged inside the victim’s house and seized him at gunpoint before escaping towards an unknown direction,” Sakalahul said.

Sakalahul, who was informed of the latest incident, immediately alerted the police and Marines to set up a blockade to track down the abductors.

He said police recovered an abandoned van in Lantawan town but could not immediately determine if the vehicle was the one used by the kidnappers.