Sayyaf seizes 7 workers in Sulu

Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits snatched a factory worker and six construction workers of a government road project, in Parang, Sulu, officials said yesterday.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police director Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao said a group led by Abu Sayyaf commander Albader Parad snatched the seven men separately.

Goltiao said Parad led his men in abducting a dried fish factory worker in a passenger jeep along the national road in Barangay Silangkan last Monday.

The gunmen later seized the six construction workers on their way home hitching ride on a dump truck.

Police said they are still awaiting demands from the gunmen.

"The abduction could be a diversionary tactic of the Abu Sayyaf as there is an ongoing (military) offensive (against them)," Goltiao said.

Jolo Gov. Ben Loong, citing a police investigation, said the kidnappings were staged by Parad, who operates in Jolo’s mountainous townships of Indanan and Parang.

Some village leaders were helping to locate the kidnap victims, he said. He declined to say whether he would be willing to negotiate with the Abu Sayyaf or whether a ransom had been demanded.

The kidnappings were an indication that the Abu Sayyaf remains capable of banditry and terrorist acts despite battle setbacks dealt by a large US-backed offensive that started in August, he said.

Loong said it was unclear whether the kidnappings were intended to divert troops who are hunting for renegade Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) commander Habier Malik and his men.

Malik was blamed for deadly mortar attacks in Jolo last week. – Roel Pareño, AP