2 workers seized in Sulu

GUNMEN believed to be Abu Sayyaf bandits have burned a hauling truck and seized two people who are among the workers undertaking a United States (US)-funded road project in Sulu, the military reported.

Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) officials said the incident took place around 12:45 p.m. Monday in the town of Maimbung, where a six-kilometer US-funded road project is ongoing.

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The kidnapped workers were identified as Rajah Halud and a certain Jalal, who work for a Sulu-based construction firm contracted to do the project.

Investigation showed that the bandits burned the hauling truck and seized the two workers after the construction firm refused to give protection money.

The road construction project is part of the humanitarian projects being contributed by the US troops stationed in the island province of Sulu.

Government forces are continuously tracking down the whereabouts of the victims for their eventual rescue.

Lieutenant General Benjamin Mohammad Dolorfino, Wesmincom chief, said there is no update yet on the incident. (Bong Garcia)