Abu Sayyaf seizes Sulu public school teacher

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 22): Abu Sayyaf seizes Sulu public school teacher

The military’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said government forces are exhausting all means to rescue a public school teacher seized by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in the province of Sulu, officials said.

Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, Westmincom information officer, disclosed that Marjorie Abdul, head teacher of Liang Elementary School, was seized by five gunmen believed to be Abu Sayyaf bandits at the school premises around 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

Liang is one of the 30 barangays in Patikul, a third class town in the province of Sulu.

A coordination with the police and the provincial government was established to intensify pursuit operations, identify the perpetrators, and trace their hideouts, Cape. Petinglay said.

“As we speak, all intelligence resources are being utilized to obtain further information and pursuit operations are currently being launched by all operating units under the Joint Task Force Sulu,” she said.

She said Westmincom condemns any kidnapping activity by lawless groups, specifically the Abu Sayyaf bandits, in the province of Sulu.

“Rest assured that we will sustain our operations in coordination with the other law enforcement agencies,” she added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1029686