Suspected Abu Sayyaf men seize DSWD worker in Basilan

THE MILITARY maintains a heavy presence in Basilan, where the bandit group Abu Sayyaf is known to operate. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group abducted a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) employee early Wednesday, police said.

Senior Superintendent Mario Dapilloza, Basilan provincial director, identified the victim as Jenelyn Luna Enpera, a social worker assigned in Barangay (village) Ulitan Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan.

Dapilloza said Enpera was inspecting DSWD projects at the village around 9 a.m. when the employee was forcibly taken by four suspected ASG members who were armed with caliber .45 pistols.

Two of the abductors were identified as alias Idol and Ulay.

He said the suspects fled on board two motorcycles and headed towards Sumisip, Basilan with the victim.

A report quoted Municipal Mayor Jomar Maturan as saying that authorities warned Enpera from going there, but the DSWD worker allegedly did not listen.