Marines foil kidnap try in Tawi-Tawi

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Marine and navy forces foiled a kidnapping attempt by the Abu Sayyaf and confiscated two speedboats docked at the Chinese Pier in Bonggao, Tawi-Tawi, believed on standby as a getaway vehicle, a military official said yesterday.

Armed Forces Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Kyamko disclosed, in a statement, that the Abu Sayyaf was planning to snatch three prominent businessmen in Bonggao during the first week of this month.

The plot, he said, was unearthed following the capture of three suspects in a shootout in Panglima Sugala between the rebels and Marine forces early last week.

Elements of Naval Forces Task Force 62 under Capt. Feliciano Angue immediately conducted surveillance operations and spotted three speedboats that landed suspiciously at the Chinese Pier last Friday.

However, the unidentified crew on board quickly scampered and boarded one of the three speedboats and sped off towards unknown directions.

Angue directed the 1st Marine Company to take custody of the speedboats and trace the owners.