Armed men seize 5 fishermen in Sulu

Armed men abducted over the weekend five fishermen in Sulu, the military revealed on Monday.

Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu commander Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said crew of FB Danvil 9 were taking shelter at the port of Poblacion in Pangutaran town last Saturday when they were snatched by armed men believed to be members of the notorious Abu Sayyaf.

The military said the captors were aboard two motorized bancas and immediately left the area after taking the victims.

Sobejena identified the five captives as Vergel Arquino, of Davao City; and Jushua Ybanes, Emo Fausto, Junald Minalang, and Sriano Sardido, all of Pagadian City.

“JTF Sulu in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard Western Mindanao District immediately responded to the reported incident through intensified hot pursuit operation to interdict the perpetrators and safely rescue the kidnap victims,” Sobejana said.    /kga