Sulu treasurer snatched

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits snatched the provincial treasurer of Sulu near the provincial capitol on Monday night, according to security officials.

Brig. Gen. Jose Joriel Cenabre, commander of Task Force Sulu and the 2nd Marine Brigade, said the kidnappers of provincial treasurer Jess Cabelin, 60, are suspected to be followers of Abu Sayyaf leaders Sawadjaan and Julli Ikit.

Cabelin was seized from his quarters near the provincial capitol in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul town and dragged into a Tamaraw jeepney at 6:45 p.m. Monday.

Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbito, Sulu police director, said they still have no information if the kidnappers have made contact with Cabelin’s family.

“We have not identified the exact location where the suspects brought their victim but we suspect they are still hiding in Patikul,” Orbito said. 

Cenabre said the group of Ikit and Sawadjaan are believed behind the spate of recent kidnappings, the latest victims of which are telecommunication technician Dennis Aloba and his security escort Nasri Abubakar who were seized last Nov. 5.

Meanwhile, police and the Marines have been alerted on reports that suspected Abu Sayyaf men have taken to Tawi-Tawi a Taiwanese tourist they snatched in a resort off Semporna in Sabah.

According to reports from Malaysian authorities, the kidnappers were able to sneak into the Pom Pom island resort, killed Taiwanese tourist Hsu Li Min, 57, and snatched his wife, Chang An Wei, 58, last Friday.

Cenabre though said they have no information yet on the possible whereabouts of Chang in Tawi-Tawi or Sulu, but that government troops have been alerted on the incident.