Abus snatch civilians in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  – Abu Sayyaf gunmen seized a passenger jeepney, abducted a cooperative employee and two civilians in a remote village in Basilan province yesterday morning, according to a police official.

Senior Superintendent Antonio Mendoza, commander of Basilan provincial police, said the attack by Abu Sayyaf militants was led by its leader Puruji Indama at Sitio Mompol, Barangay Libug, Sumisip town.

Mendoza said Indama with 30 of his armed followers flagged down and seized the jeepney loaded with passengers (JVK 359) about 6 a.m. yesterday while in transit from Barangay Manggal, bound for Isabela City.

According to the police, the Abu Sayyaf ordered all the passengers to alight from the jeepney and at gunpoint interrogated the victims briefly before taking three hostages.

The abducted passengers were identified as Claudio Mañanita, employed with the Manggal Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Development Cooperative, Rolando Francisco Jr., and another civilian who was said to be gay.

Mendoza said the Abus immediately escaped along with their hostages toward the mountains of Sumisip.

There were reports that the militants have already issued through text messages their ransom demands in exchange for the safe release of the hostages.

Mendoza said they were still verifying the reported demands and the condition of the hostages.  – With Cecille Suerte Felipe