Suspected Abu Sayyaf men abduct six locals in Sulu

Six locals from Sulu have been abducted by armed men believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf, the military said Wednesday.

Fifteen armed men forcibly took at gunpoint six individuals in Brgy. Latih, Patikul town past 8 p.m. on Tuesday, said Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu.

The victims were identified as Jessy Trinidad, 55; Nene Trinidad, 56; Aloh Trinidad, 22; Lucy Hapole, 21; Junjun Hapole, 12; and Nelson Hapole, 7.

Security forces were immediately dispatched to verify the report and conduct pursuit operations, Sobejana said.

He also cautioned the residents to take proactive measures and report anything unusual in the community to preempt similar incidents from happening.

“This demonstrates that the notorious kidnappers in Sulu are victimizing anybody including their fellow Tausugs even those who have less in life. Such hostility reminds us that security is everybody’s responsibility,” Sobejana said. /je