Abu Sayyaf group kidnaps 2 'ukay-ukay' vendors in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY ,Philippines  – The Abu Sayyaf group seized two merchants of used clothing locally known as “ukay-ukay” late Sunday in a village of Patikul town in Sulu.

Lt. Col. Randolf Cabangbang, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), identified the victims as Ambon Blas, 60, and Perlita Bagay, 25, both residents of Palar Village in Barangay Liang in Patikul.

Cabangbang said the kidnappers have not issued any demand for the release of the victims.

Police commander Felicisimo Khu said the victims were snatched at gunpoint as they were returning home on a motorcycle after selling clothes in a marine camp on Jolo Island. The incident happened at Sitio Baunoh near Latih Elementary School in Barangay Latih, about 5:20 p.m, and alleged to be perpetrated by an armed group under Abu Sayyaf leader Basarun Aruk.

The latest kidnapping is in the same area where the militants killed seven Marines in a July 28 clash that prompted President Aquino to order a new crackdown on the notorious terrorist group.

 Police said the latest abduction have brought to eight the number of people who remain captives of the Abu Sayyaf group. They are Indian national Biju Kollaraveettil, Malaysian Mohammad Nazaruddin Saiddin, Hiroshima-born Toshio Ito alias Mamaito Katayama, fishermen Renato Panisales and Winnie Ferrer and midwife Hadja Evangeline Taverisma.

The Abu Sayyaf has demanded ransom money for the release of the victims.

Ito, a Japanese convert to Islam, was kidnapped last July, while the rest of the victims were seized in March.

The kidnapping happened on the heels of a US State Department report saying the ability of the terrorist and other militant groups to launch attack in the Philippines has diminished due to the strong counter-terrorism measures launched by the government. – With AP