ZAMBOANGA CITY – Suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen who posed as passengers have seized a former marine sergeant-turned-motorboat operator in the southern Philippines, the navy said.
It said security forces were searching for Renato Fernandez, who was taken captive on April 5 while heading to Pangutaran Island from the municipality of Jolo.
Fernandez was transporting about 3 dozen passengers when 5 men took out weapons from their bags and seized the former soldier, who is said to be married to a Muslim woman.
The former soldier was transferred to another motorized boat that tailed them as horrified passengers – mostly Muslim islanders – looked on and could do nothing to help the poor Christian boat owner because the gunmen threatened to shoot them.
Fernandez used his retirement pension to buy a boat and uses it to provide for his family.
It was unknown whether the rebels have contacted the victim’s family to demand for money or are already negotiating for his safe release. (Mindanao Examiner)
Like Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindanaoexaminer
Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindanaoExamine
Read Our News on: http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/ and http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/
Share the News
20
