Security forces on Friday scrambled to the hinterland and coast of Kabasalan town Zamboanga Sibugay in search of kidnappers with possible link to the militant Abu Sayyaf who snatched a Korean national Thursday night.
Police said Li Pei Zhei, 25, who was reported to have been engaged in business was seized by four unidentified men armed with high powered firearms while he was in his store around 6:25 p.m. in Kabasalan.
Police troopers, Army soldiers and militiamen have joined forces to track down the kidnappers led by Abu Musa that dragged Li to a mini van called “bicho bicho” which sped away to still unknown place.
Kabasalan Mayor George Cainglet said the security guard of the store was not able to protect Li as he was overpowered by the kidnappers, who loaded the Korean to a motorized pumpboat that headed for Limono Island.
The gateaway mini-van was later found burning in Barangay Danda, Kabasalan.
The latest kidnapping of foreigner in Kabasalan happened a day after a member of the notorious kidnap-for-ransom gang called “Mamay Aburi Group” was arrested during an intelligence maritime interdiction and law enforcement operation along shore of Zamboanga Sibugay of Wednesday.
Arrested was Masdal Sabtal, a criminal gang member, who has a warrant of arrest for kidnapping, serious illegal detention and robbery cases.
The Korean embassy in Manila did not release any statement about the kidnapping of Li Pei Zhei.
A police intelligence source who talked on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to talk to reporters said Abu Musa is a notorious leader of a kidnap-for-ransom gang that had abducted several victims in the past including a retired Australian soldier married to a Filipina.
Warren Richard Rodwell, 53, was kidnapped on December 11, 2011 from his residence at Greenmeadow Subdivision, Lower Pangi village in Ipil town Zamboanga Sibugay. He was freed after 15 months in captivity.
The modus operandi of the kidnapping, according to the police source, is that the kidnap-for-ransom gang snatches a victim and turn him or her over to the Abu Sayyaf that keeps the hostage while the gang negotiates for the ransom which if paid is shared by both groups.
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