MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Police filed on Tuesday kidnapping cases against Abu Sayyaf extremists said to be behind the abduction of three factory workers, including two Chinese nationals, in Maluso, Basilan last week, officials said.

Charged were Mujahid Nasirin, Amilhusin Insoh, Daniel Musa, Omar Musa, Purudji Indama, Moton Indama, Hud Limaya, Adam Mingkong, Muktar Abon, Ismael Sakkam and Nasser Butug.

Philippine National Police chief Jesus Verzosa said that 17 other suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf, known only by their aliases, were also charged at the Basilan provincial prosecutor’s office in Isabela City.

Task Force Band-it, the group created to secure the release of the three victims, filed the charges, said Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, police spokesman.

Verzosa said Nasirin was arrested over the weekend in Basilan.

Verzosa said witnesses identified the suspects as among those who seized Michael Tan, Oscar Lu, and Mark Singson from the factory of Basilan Hi-Tech Woodcraft Industries in Barangay (Village) Townsite, Maluso town on November 10.

Police and military units, he added, have been deployed in nearby Tipo-tipo town where the victims were still being held by their abductors, as of Tuesday.