Microfinance group's employee seized in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – An employee of a microfinance institution was seized in Patikul, Sulu by unidentified gunmen Friday, security officials reported yesterday. 

The victim was identified as Rania Mohammad Suaso, 25, of the Center for Agriculture and Moral Development and a resident of Martires street in Barangay Bangkal. 

Lt. Col. Randolf Cabangbang, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said initial investigation showed that the victim was on a passenger jeepney when three men took her at around 8:10 a.m. The victim was dragged to another jeepney, which brought her toward Sitio Palar, Barangay Liang.

Authorities are still trying to determine the motive of the kidnapping. The victim’s family said the gunmen had not contacted them.

Last April, Carlos Tee, 62, owner of a gasoline station in Jolo and an employee of the Air Transportation Office, was seized by at least seven gunmen, who barged into his residence on Hadji Butu street.

There has been no word on the businessman’s fate, but there were indications that his relatives, who are members of the Moro National Liberation Front based in Sulu, were negotiating for his safe release.

Five foreign tourists and two Chinese traders remain in the hands of kidnappers in Sulu and Basilan.

Among the victims were Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani with his two Filipino TV crews; Dutchman Elwold Horn and Swiss Lorenzo Vinceguerre; Australian Warren Richard Rodwell; Indian Biju Kollaraveettil and Japanese Toshio Ito. 

Iron ore traders Yuankai Lin and Jian Luo were kidnapped in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay and reportedly brought to Basilan.