Abu men seize Sulu town councilor

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 28): Abu men seize Sulu town councilor

Troops are tracking down the whereabouts of Abu Sayyaf Group members who forcibly seized a town councilor in the province of Sulu, a top military official disclosed Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, identified the victim as Councilor Ezzedin Suod Tan of Jolo, the province’ capital.

Sobejana said Abu Sayyaf bandits abducted Tan at around 6 p.m. Wednesday at the boundary of Barangays Timbangan and Tagbak in Indanan town.

Sobejana said Tan was with a group of 12 bikers traversing the road between Timbangan and Tagbak when forcibly taken by six ASG members aboard a Tamaraw FX. Tan is a member of the Tausog Bikers Club.

“Accordingly, they were on their way back to Jolo after making a turn at the town of Maimbung,” he told Philippine News Agency through a a text message.

Octavio Dinampo, Save the Sulu Movement spokesperson, disclosed he received information that the abductors of Tan was led by Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Alden Bagadi also known as Sayning.

“Before the abduction occurred, a certain Malik a brother-in law of ASG supporter-financier Abdulsalam Baridji alias Rambo was monitored conducting surveillance and spotted at vicinity of Barangay Timbangan of same municipality (of Indanan),” Dinampo said.

“Information further disclosed that a certain Radzkan; Ajang; and, Najid were identified as the very abductors who forcibly took the victim,” he claimed.

Sobejana said a Crisis Management Committee has been activated to work for the safe recovery of the victim “the soonest possible time.”

“Search and rescue operations are ongoing and we look forward for the victim’s safe rescue,” Sobejana added.

For years, the Abu Sayyaf has thrived in raking ransom money from its kidnapping activities. It is believed that the money is being used to finance their terrorist acts.

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the military to intensify its offensive against the ASG on the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The Abu Sayyaf bandits splintered into small groups and constantly moving from one municipality to other to avoid detection by military forces.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1011057