MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – At least 10 construction workers were held hostage by alleged Abu Sayyaf members in Sumisip, Basilan, on Monday, September 14, according to military and police sources.
Initial reports from the Army's 104th brigade said that Abu Sayyaf members stopped a truck of the Department of Public Works and Highways that was carrying 8 workers along the highway of Barangay Upper Binembengan, Sumisip town at around 9:20 am Monday.
A police report meanwhile said 10 construction workers from a certain "Mace Construction Company" were abducted as they were on their way to the road construction site. They were later brought to an undisclosed area. A later report said around 11 workers were missing, based on the count of the company that hired them.
The hostage takers were reportedly led by a certain Commander Alamsirul of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group.
The workers were still being held by the Abu Sayyaf as of 1 pm Monday. Government forces are still checking the area, in hopes of recovering the kidnapped workers.
Basilan is the birthplace of the Abu Sayyaf, which is behind the most sensational kidnapping incidents in Mindanao. – Rappler.com