Armed group abducts seven workers in Basilan

MANILA, Philippines - Seven people were abducted Monday by a still unidentified group in Basilan province in southern Philippines, a regional police official confirmed Tuesday. Abducted from Tuburan town were Mau Ponce, Tomas De Leon, Albert Manulis, Wagi Toldeo, Adraky Kaseris, Alfred Layam and a certain Jobert. Citing a report from the field, Chief Superintendent Bensali Jabarani, head of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police, said the victims were on board a hauling truck when a group of armed men blocked their part at around 4:30 p.m. in Sitio Bato Babag, Lahi-Lahi village. The victims were then ordered to alight from the vehicle and were later taken to an undisclosed location, leaving behind the truck in the area. Basilan is a known bailiwick of the notorious Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, but the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is also operating in the said province. Jabarani said elements of the Tuburan police are now conducting follow-up operations to rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators. - GMANews.TV