7 construction workers abducted in Basilan

Manila: Alleged members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) abducted seven construction workers in southern Basilan province, an official said.

Armed men believed to be members of the Moro separatist group waylaid a truck loaded with construction materials in the village of Tuburan on Monday afternoon, said Chief Superintendent Bensali Jabarabani, police director in the autonomous region of Muslim Mindanao.

"The victims were on board a haulage truck when a group of armed men blocked their path in Sitio Bato Babag, Lahi-Lahi village," Jabarabani said.

The truck driver, identified as Mau Ponce, was forced to abandon the truck and was forced to march into the jungle along with six others, Jabaraban added.

Police official identified the other victims as Tomas De Leon, Albert Manulis, Wagi Toldeo, Adraky Kaseris, Alfred Layam and a certain Jobert.

"The abductors were forced to abandon the truck somewhere in the jungle," Jabaran said, adding the police had already started investigating.

After falling into hiatus for several years, there is noticeable resurgence of incidences of abduction in Basilan province. Most of the victims have been Christian civilians as well as aid workers.