Saturday, November 20, 2004
Government doctor kidnapped (5:05 p.m.)
ZAMBOANGA -- A government doctor has been abducted by suspected Muslim extremists, the military said Saturday.
Dr. Avelrio Canda was seized late Friday from a government hospital in Parang town by seven gunmen believed to be members of the extremist Abu Sayyaf group, said Brig. Gen. Agustin Dema-ala, task force commander on Jolo island.
Canda was forced to board a passenger mini-bus at gunpoint. Soldiers and police were in pursuit of the kidnappers, some wearing masks and wearing military camouflage uniforms, Dema-ala said.
Dema-ala said road blocks and checkpoints were set up around Parang, about 950 kilometers (594 miles) south of Manila.
It was not immediately clear why Canda was taken. (AP)
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