‘Doctor kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf to treat sick Abu Sayyaf leader’

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Abu Sayyaf bandits kidnapped a doctor in Sulu last week to treat their leader, who is suffering from tuberculosis. 

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command chief, said Abu Sayyaf leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan needs immediate medical assistance.  

“It is very likely the doctor was taken because Sawadjaan is suffering from a lingering ailment and they have casualties as a result of our recent focused military operations,” Sobejana said.

 Daniel Moreno, a  doctor based in Jolo, was snatched by four men wearing police and military uniforms from his clinic in Barangay Walled City.

 Sobejana said security video footage in Moreno’s clinic showed that the doctor went with the gunmen without resistance.

 “He was surprised upon seeing the gunmen, but he followed them without being led or dragged from his clinic,” he said.

Sobejana said there is still no ransom demand from the kidnappers.

However, he said they are not ruling out the payment of ransom as the motive.

 Government forces recovered the getaway vehicle, which the suspects burned, in Patikul town.

 Sobejana said they are intensifying intelligence and operations to rescue the doctor and five Indonesian fishermen kidnapped in the waters off Lahad Datu on Jan. 17.