5 hurt in Abu kidnap try in Sulu

From the Daily Tribune (May 30): 5 hurt in Abu kidnap try in Sulu

Five persons, including a lady doctor who was reportedly receiving threats from the terrorist the Abu Sayyaf group, were wounded during a foiled kidnapping in Sulu province Saturday, the military said yesterday.

Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman for the military’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), identified the lady doctor as Marian Lao.

“There have been reports that the lady doctor has been receiving kidnap threats from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), but due to the presence of the duty escorts, the foiled kidnapping was averted,” said Tan.

According to Tan. Lao and her three security escorts, whose identities were not released, were inside her clinic at the capital town Jolo when the two assailants barged inside.

Without motivation, the suspects, armed with .45 caliber pistols, shot at Lao and her security escorts, one of them a policeman.

“Upon hearing the gun fires, the duty sentinel of the PNP station at the other side of the road responded to the crime scene, prompting the suspect to also shoot the policemen who was also was wounded in the process,” Tan said.

The two assailants immediately boarded a blue Honda Wave 125 motorcycle and fled toward unknown direction.

“The two security escorts suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while the lady doctor and the PNP personnel were hit on the left shoulder and lower left leg, respectively,” Tan said.

Tan said that the victims were immediately brought by the responding authorities to Camp Teodulfo Hospital in Barangay Bus-Bus, Jolo, Sulu for medical treatment.

Tan said that the victims were later airlifted to Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City for further medical attention.

The foiled kidnapping happened amid the intensified military operations against the Abu Sayyaf to rescue about a dozen hostages, including foreigners.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/5-hurt-in-abu-kidnap-try-in-sulu