ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Unidentified armed men abducted on Monday evening the provincial treasurer of Sulu from inside his home in Patikul town.
An initial report from Sulu police authorities said Jesus Cabelin was inside his home in Barangay (village) Bangkal, near the provincial capitol, when snatched at gunpoint around 6:45 p.m.
Responding policemen had caught up with the abductors and engaged them in a firefight but the kidnappers managed to flee with their captive toward Barangay Danag, also in Patikul, aboard a Tamaraw jeep.
The Sulu police said a pursuit operation involving members of the Jolo Internal Defense Force and Marine soldiers had started.
Authorities said the motive of the abduction remained unclear as of Monday night.