Abu Sayyaf men kidnap 6 civilians in Sulu

MANILA, Philippines — Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits kidnapped six civilians, including two children, in Patikul, Sulu on Tuesday, the military reported yesterday.

The victims were identified as  Jessy, 55; Nene, 56; Aloh, 22, all surnamed Trinidad, and Lucy, 21; Junjun, 13; and Nelson, 7, all surnamed Hapole.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the bandits took the victims at gunpoint from their houses at Kalimayahan Village in Barangay Latih at around 8:45 p.m.  

“The incident again showed that notorious kidnappers in Sulu are victimizing even their fellow Tausugs and those who have less in life. Such hostility reminds us that security is everybody’s responsibility,” Sobejana said. 

He said the civilians could be used by the bandits as human shields during military operations in the province. 

The military has intensified its operations to neutralize the bandits and rescue the remaining hostages.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding nine other Filipinos, including five fishermen they took from the waters off Panguratan town last Oct. 14. 

Five Indonesians, a Vietnamese and a Dutch man are also being held captive by the bandits.