ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Unidentified gunmen snatched four persons including two children, their nanny and driver in Jolo, Sulu, yesterday morning, the military said.
Mohammad Zaher Naim, 10, and Princess Raiza Karanain, 8, were on their way to school along with their helper Almalyn Abuhail, 18, and driver Saddam Amlih when five gunmen flagged them down at around 7 a.m. on Scot Road, said Capt. Ryan Lacuesta, spokesman for the 2nd Marine Brigade.
Lacuesta said the armed men dragged the victims into a Tamaraw jeepney and escaped toward Barangay Anuling in Patikul town.
He said Marines and police forces launched an operation to rescue the hostages.
Meanwhile, authorities arrested a suspected Abu Sayyaf militant tagged in the kidnapping of a Catholic priest, in a police operation in Basilan Sunday night.
Imam Bakal, alias Abubakar Bakkang, was arrested at around 9 p.m. in Maluso town for kidnapping with serious illegal detention, according to Capt. Rowena Muyuella, spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command.
Muyuella said Bakal was tagged in the kidnapping of Fr. Cerilo Nacorda in Isabela City in 1994.