Philippines: Abu Sayyaf group abducts six locals

By Roy Ramos ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) – Armed men, allegedly members of the Abu Sayyaf group, abducted six residents including two minors in the southern Philippines’ Sulu province, the military said Wednesday.Joint Task Force Sulu commander Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana identified the victims as Jessy Trinidad, 55; Nene Trinidad, 56; Aloh Trinidad, 22; Lucy Hapole, 21; Junjun Hapole, 13; and Nelson Hapole, 7.Sobejana said the incident happened Tuesday at Kalimayahan, village of Latih and was immediately reported by concerned citizens to the local police. The military responded with teams to verify the report and conduct pursuit operations."This incident again demonstrates that the notorious kidnappers in Sulu are victimizing anybody including their fellow Tausugs even those who have less in life,” Manila Times quoted Sobejana as saying. “Such hostility reminds us that security is everybody’s responsibility,” he added.Armed with mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles, the Abu Sayyaf group has allegedly pledged allegiance to Daesh and has been carrying out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortion in a self-determined fight for an independent province in the Philippines since 1991. Prior to the abduction, the local militant group was still holding captive seven foreigners and nine Filipinos.