ZAMBOANGA CITY – Three construction workers were briefly seized Thursday by Abu Sayyaf rebels in the restive province of Basilan in the Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines, officials said.
Officials said the trio – Edgar Francisco, 40; Sommy Siason, 17; and Alex Francisco, 18 – were seized by five rebels under Abdulhassan Tabadjanul in Cadayan village in Akbar town.
The victims were onboard a truck owned by businessman Muktar Muarip when the gunmen intercepted them. Muarip owns CNJ Construction firm in the province where the men are employed. It was unknown whether Muarip negotiated for the freedom of his workers.
Policemen and troops, who were dispatched to pursue the rebels, have recovered the trio in the same village where they were taken by the Abu Sayyaf.
“After an hour of pursuing the bandits, the victims were released by their abductors. Subsequently, the victims proceeded to the location of their dump trucks where they were rescued by government troops,” said Captain Eugene Espino, a spokesman for the Joint Task Group Basilan.
He said security forces were tracking down the gunmen in Basilan, one of five provinces under the troubled autonomous region governed by Mujiv Hataman. (Mindanao Examiner)
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