(UPDATE) South Korean engineer kidnapped in Lanao del Sur

COTABATO, Philippines (Xinhua) - A South Korean had been kidnapped by gunmen in the southern Philippine province of Lanao del Sur, police said today.

The victim, Song Ki Eon, who served as a mining company engineer in the city of Cagayan de Oro, was with Police Officer Roel Billiardo when he was taken by gunmen in the township of Saguiran in Lanao del Sur province, town police commander John Condo told a local radio station.

Investigation showed that the victim on board a black Toyota Avanza was about to meet prospective clients in Iligan City on Jan. 19, but while heading to the area, a man phoned him and directed to proceed in Marawi City.

Three men boarded the victims' vehicle along the national highway in the Mapaga village in Saguiran, Condo said.

"It appeared he knew the three men. His escort advise him not to proceed in Marawi because of security reasons, but the foreigner ignored," Condo said.

Later, the three men forced the foreigner to transfer to another vehicle and they handcuffed Billiardo inside their vehicle.

"There's an ongoing operation to recover the victim. As of now, there were no words from the abductors," Condo said.