15 gunmen abduct fishing boat captain

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - - Heavily-armed men intercepted a fishing boat and abducted its captain Tuesday in the waters off Lantawan town, Basilan province, according to the police.

Basilan provincial police headquarters identified the victim as Lucio Gonzales, patron of the Albert Fishing Boat, who is based in Barangay Cawit in this city.

Investigation disclosed that the fishing boat skippered by the victim with his fishing crew were  passing through the coast of Basilan when they were intercepted about 8 a.m Tuesday by the 15 heavily-armed marauders on board two Jungkungs, Malaysian-style shallow hulled pumpboat, about  8 a.m Tuesday.

Gonzales’ crew told investigating police the gunmen seized the fishing boat and herded them to a corner before abducting the victim.

The suspects with their captive quickly fled on board their jungkung toward the direction of Sulu province.

he police forces and marines in Sulu have been alerted to monitor the possible presence of the suspects and their  captive.

The fishing boat management in this city has been trying to establish contacts with the suspects to determine the motive of the abduction.