Basilan resort owner seized

Zamboanga City, Philippines – The Abu Sayyaf struck again in Basilan, this time seizing a resort owner in Isabela City Thursday night, just two days after it freed a school principal, authorities said.

Basilan Vice Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakalahul said Hilario de los Santos, alias Larry Font, owner of the Farmland Beach Resort in Barangay Lanote Bliss and Font’s Restaurant in Isabela City, was on his way to his resort when he was snatched at around 7:45 p.m. Thursday.

Investigation showed that two of De los Santos’ kidnappers were billeted in the resort apparently to monitor his movements. Ten other men brandishing high-powered firearms took part in the kidnapping.

Senior Superintendent Cristeto Rey Gonzalodo, Basilan police director, quoted witnesses as saying that the kidnappers hit De los Santos as he resisted.

Gonzalodo said De los Santos earlier had received threats from the Abu Sayyaf, prompting him to limit his visits to his restaurant in downtown Isabela City.

The getaway van was recovered early yesterday in Barangay Upper Maligue, Isabela City but was torched by the kidnappers to erase any evidence.

Col. Nicanor Dolojan, commander of Special Operation Task Force-Basilan, said the kidnappers belong to the Abu Sayyaf group of Puruji Indama.

Last Tuesday night, another Abu Sayyaf group released Cecilia Sosas, principal of the Baas Elementary School in Lamitan town, after her family paid P200,000 as “board and lodging fee,” a local euphemism for ransom.

Authorities, meanwhile, have yet to locate nursing graduate Marycris Sogradiel Cuartocruz, 21, who was seized Tuesday night in Barangay Manicahan this city.