Suspected Abu Sayyaf men abduct foreman in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Gunmen believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf Group abducted a construction foreman in Indanan town, Sulu province, a security official said Friday.

The victim, identified as Remigio Villanueva Lingayen, was in the province working for the construction project of Sulu Vice Gov. Sakur Tan.

The Sulu Provincial Police Office said the victim was on board a jeepney from Maimbung town on his way to Jolo when he was flagged down by seven armed men at the junction of Barangay Timbangan at around 7:45 a.m. Thursday.

The armed men dragged the victim at gunpoint into their getaway vehicle and escaped towards the direction of the adjacent Barangay Adjid MSR, in the same town.

A joint team of policemen and Marines conducted pursuit operation, but failed to catch up on the suspects and their captive.

The Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) said that no group has claimed responsibility of the latest abduction.