Abu Sayyaf gunmen abduct social worker in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - - A government social worker was  abducted by four Abu Sayyaf militants Wednesday morning while inspecting  a project in a village of Ungkaya Pukan town, Basilan province, according to security officials.

The victim was identified as Jennelyn Luna Enpera, an employee of the Department of Solcial Welfare and Development (DSWD) provincial office, assigned to oversee the cash-transfer program Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) families in Ungkaya Pukan.

Lt. Col. Tiny Perez, commanding officer of the 18th Infantry Battalion, said Enpera was seized by the gunmen about 9 a.m at Barangay Ulitan, a known area of the MILF.

The Abu Sayyaf militants, all armed with .45 caliber pistols on board two motorcycles, took Enpera while the latter was  inspecting the  4Ps program on the MILF families.

“The MILF said they were having meeting when the suspects arrived on board their motorcycles and abducted the victim,” Perez said.

The suspects immediately  fled taking their captive toward Sumisip town.

Perez said the MILF immediately alerted them of the incident and coordinated to pursue the suspects and rescue the victim.

“They said they were caught by surprised by the incident and have already alerted their people to help in the pursuit operation,” Perez added.

Two of the suspects have already been identified through their aliases as certain Idol and Ulay, both members of the Abu Sayyaf group.