Gunmen seize 2 fishermen offshore Basilan province
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines/ BP Garcia-–The number of people being held captive in the nearby island province of Basilan has increased to seven as gunmen have recently seized two fishermen from the province of Zamboanga del Sur.
The abduction of the two fishermen was only disclosed Wednesday by Rear Admiral Alexander Pama, Task Force Trillium chief, although the victims were seized 18 days ago.
The victims identified as Ronnie Nabie, 25, Sto. Niño, Pagadian City and Reynante Saquen, 30, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur, were seized by the suspects near Sibago Island in Basilan province when they went to fish in the area last 4 April.
Pama did not disclose the exact location of the victims except in saying that the fishermen are being held captives in the eastern part of Basilan province.
Pama said they have yet to identify the suspects behind the abduction of the two fishermen.
Aside from the two fishermen, the other hostages held in Basilan province include a Sri Lankan peace advocate, a lending firm employee and three teachers from Zamboanga City.
Umar Jaleel, of the Brussels-based Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), was seized last February 13 in the village of Maloong, Lamitan City.
Leah Patris, an employee of a lending firm in Maluso town, was seized last February 3 in the village of Limbu Candiis, Sumisip town.
The teachers namely Janette Delos Reyes, Rafael Mayonado and Freirez Quizon, were seized last 25 January off shore Zamboanga City. (BP Garcia, The Philsouth Angle)
