Drug syndicate abducts Tawi-Tawi vice mayor

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A local government official actively campaigning against drug trafficking was abducted Sunday by armed men believed to belong to a drug syndicate in Tawi-Tawi, military and police officials reported Monday.

Brig. Gen. Renato Miranda, Marine Forces South chief identified the the victim as Hadji Kuyoh Pajiji, vice mayor of Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi.

Miranda said that Pajiji was abducted by the group of Ayub Bakil, reportedly a drug lord operating in Tawi-Tawi.

Chief Supt. Akmad Omar, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police director said the Bakil’s group forcibly barged into Pajiji’s house and seized him at gunpoint.

Omar said they believed the motive could be drug related as Pajiji is one of the local government officials actively campaigning against the illegal drugs trade in Sitangkai.

"Pajiji is a staunch supporter against drug proliferation and one of those who are actively campaigning to neutralize drug trafficking in the island province," Omar said.

He said so far the abductors have not relayed any demand yet neither contacted the family of Pajiji.

Miranda said intelligence operatives of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 1 (MBLT) are intensifying the surveillance to locate the whereabouts of the suspects and the victim.

He added that a naval blockade was also set up in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi to possibly intercept the suspects if they attempt to escape using the sea lanes.