ABU Sayyaf bandits seized four people, including two policewomen, in Sulu on Sunday, April 29.

The victims were identified as Police Officer (PO)3 Benierose Alvarez, PO1 Dinah Gumahad, Jakosalem Blas, and Faizal Ahidji.

Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said Alvarez and Gumahad are both assigned with the Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula.

Sobejana said the victims were aboard a tricycle driven by Blas when about 11 bandits led by Mujir Yada flagged them down at around 12:40 p.m. Sunday in the village of Liang in Patikul town.

Sobejana said the victims had come from the headquarters of the Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Buhanginan, where Alvarez’s boyfriend is stationed.

He said Yada’s group forcibly brought the victims towards the south.

Sobejana said troops have been deployed to track down the victims’ whereabouts and rescue them.

He advised the public to take precautions, especially in isolated areas “to preclude untoward incidents.”