Muslim priest abducted in Davao Norte

DAVAO CITY — A Muslim priest (imam) was snatched in a village in Tagum City, Davao del Norte last Saturday afternoon, just a few weeks after Italian priest Giuseppe Pierantoni was abducted in Northern Mindanao.

Imam Hajji Said Kussain, according to reports reaching the Southern Mindanao police, was standing near the Tagum Islamic Center along Pioneer Avenue when five unidentified armed men accosted and dragged him to an L-300 Mitsubishi van.

Authorities still have no clues on who could be behind Kussain’s abduction. Witnesses failed to get the license plate of the getaway car.

Kussain has served Tagum’s Muslim community for several years. — Edith Regalado