Village chief, wife abducted in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Unidentified armed men in camouflage uniforms abducted a barangay captain and his wife in waters off Lantawan town, Basilan province on Saturday morning.

Senior Superintendent Mario Dapilloza, provincial police director of Basilan, identified the victims as Pilardo Roxas Francisco, elected chairman of Barangay Landugan, Lantawan town and his wife Saharina.

Dapilloza said the abduction of the victim was reported by their son identified as Jhayco Francisco, 19, who appeared at the Maluso Police Station.

Police said the victims were on board a motorized banca from Barangay Landugan enroute to Maluso town, when they were intercepted by eight unidentified fully-armed men on board a separate motorized boat locally known as Jungkong at around about 10:20 a.m.

Police have yet to identify the kidnappers and the motive behind the abduction.