Abu Sayyaf seizes Sulu public school head teacher

ZAMBOANGA - Gunmen believed to be Abu Sayyaf bandits have seized a public school head teacher in Sulu province, the military said Thursday, March 23.

Captain Jo-ann Petinglay, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, identified the victim as Marjorie Abdul, head teacher of the elementary school in Liang village, Patikul, Sulu.

Petinglay said Abdul was at the school premises when five Abu Sayyaf gunmen seized her at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

The Westmincom officer said that lateral coordination with the police and the Provincial Government was established to intensify pursuit operations, identify the perpetrators, and trace their hideouts.

“As we speak, all intelligence resources are being utilized to obtain further information and pursuit operations are currently being launched by all operating units under the Joint Task Force Sulu,” she said.

She said Westmincom strongly condemn any kidnapping activity by lawless groups, specifically the Abu Sayyaf bandits, in Sulu.

“Rest assured that we will sustain our operations in coordination with the other law enforcement agencies,” she added.

The number of Abu Sayyaf captives have increase to 11 with the abduction of Abdul.

They included five foreigners -- three Indoensians, one Dutch, and one Vietnamese -- and six Filipinos including Abdul. SunStar Philippines