Sayyaf men kidnap 6 loggers, hunter

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Abu Sayyaf bandits seized six loggers and a local hunter in Basilan on Thursday and killed one of the victims.

The bandits initially took Dodong de Venagracia and his son Ily at their house in Barangay Lower Mahayahay in Maluso town. The kidnappers also burned the house and motorcycle of the victims.

Asmin Aisal, the employer of the victims, discovered the incident and sought police assistance.

While fleeing with their two captives, the bandits took Hernando Sally, Mamerto Falcasantos, Reynato Casiple and Rene Sanson, who were transporting lumber along the way, and a boar hunter identified only as Bert.

Police who conducted pursuit operations on Friday found the body of De Venagracia in a forested area in Maluso.

The kidnappers, who were reportedly led by a certain Pasil Bayali and Otoh Dobol, have yet to contact the families of the victims.

The kidnapping occurred as the military continued its operations to rescue the remaining hostages and finish off the Abu Sayyaf.

The bandits are still holding 16 foreigners and eight Filipinos in Sulu and Basilan.

Last Saturday, gunmen who identified themselves as members of the Abu Sayyaf’s Ajang-Ajang group seized five construction workers in Patikul, Sulu.

4 arrested in Sulu

Also in Patikul, four bandits were arrested on Friday.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said soldiers of the 32nd Infantry Battalion chanced upon the suspects in Sitio Laha, Barangay Anuling at around 1:30 p.m.

Sobejana said an M653 and M203 grenade launchers, ammunition, backpacks containing personal belongings, hammocks, two bandoleers and medical equipment were among those recovered from the bandits.