Abu Sayyaf bandits snatch Fil-Chinese businesswoman in Jolo

ZAMBOANGA City, Philippines - Suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen abducted a Filipino-Chinese businesswoman at past noon Sunday near Jolo pier in Sulu province.

The victim identified as Hadja Dingkim Yap, 58, a businesswoman, was forcibly taken by six unidentified armed men from her establishment in Barangay Chinese Pier about 12:30 p.m..

Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson of Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the suspects dragged the victim into a blue Tamaraw FX van and escaped towards the direction of Patikul, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf group.

Police and military forces immediately launched a joint pursuit operation for the possible safe rescue of the victim.

Read Admiral Reynaldo Yoma, commander of the Joint Task Group Zambasulta, described the latest abduction as unfortunate because it happened even with the government forces' continued operation against the bandit group.

“We will try to assess what we can do to get the victim. Because the victim is already coming from the local populace,” Yoma said.

He said they are trying to determine why the Abu Sayyaf bandits are now taking local captives.

Yoma added that the bandits may be trying to divert the military's attention.

“Maybe that’s their way of diverting our attention again,” Yoma said.