Gunmen abduct Chinese businesswoman, daughter in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen, disguised in police and military camouflage uniforms, seized a Chinese businesswoman and her daughter Thursday night in Isabela City, Basilan province.

Superintendent Albert Larubis, Isabela City police station chief, identified the victims as Dina Lim Iraham, 45, her daughter Yahong Lim Tan, 19, both Chinese nationals and owner of Dalby’s Videoke House in Barangay Port Area.

Larubis said that according to the victims’ helpers, at least 10 fully armed men wearing police and military camouflage uniforms seized the victims from their videoke house along I. Magno extension at about 9:35 p.m. and dragged them to the wharf area.

“The helpers said they were shocked by the incident and only realized their employers were already being taken away,” Larubis said.

He said that the gunmen forced the victims into a blue pumpboat colored and sped off towards the areas of Lampinigan Island and Barangay Panigayan in Malamawi Island off Isabela City.

Isabela City Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar asked the security forces to exhaust all available measures for the recovery of the victims.

Larubis said police and military units in Basilan launched pursuit operations on Thursday night.

He said the abductors have not made contact with the victims' family.

“Hot pursuit is being conducted by all operating troops in Basilan," Larubis said.