5 fishermen snatched in Sulu

MANILA, Philippines — Armed men on two motorized boats took five fishermen in the waters off Sulu over the weekend, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported yesterday. 

Vergel Arquino, 25, a resident of Davao City; Jushua Ybanes, 23; Emo Fausto, 63; Junald Minalang, 24, and Soriano Sardido, 53, of Pagadian City were on F/B Danvil 8 when they were taken off the coast of Barangay Poblacion, Pangutaran at about 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, Cmdr. Armand Balilo, PCG spokesman said. 

Balilo said the PCG vessel BRP Malapascua based in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi was not immediately deployed on Sunday amid inclement weather. The PCG conducted search and rescue operations only yesterday.

Police and military personnel are helping locate the fishermen.

No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, which was believed perpetrated by Abu Sayyaf bandits. 

Several Filipino and foreign fishermen have been kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf gunmen in the waters off Sulu.

Taken by cops?

Meanwhile, armed men who introduced themselves as policemen snatched a man in Mataasnakahoy, Batangas on Sunday night.

Leo Suarez, 48, was standing in front of a store in Barangay 2 when he was taken and forced into a white van, according to the relatives of the victim.

Senior Police Officer 1 Reynaldo de la Cruz said an investigation to determine if police officers were involved in the incident is ongoing.

The kidnappers have yet to contact the family of the victim.