Alleged Abu Sayyaf bandits seize five crew of fishing boat in Sulu

October 16, 2017

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Gunmen believed to be Abu Sayyaf bandits have seized five fishing boat crew in an island town of Sulu, a military official said Monday.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the five were Vergel Arquino, 25; Jushua Ybanes, 23; Emo Fausto, 63; Junald Minalang, 24; and, Spriano Sardido, 53.

All except Arquino, who is from Davao City, are residents of Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. They comprise the crew of F/B Danvil 8 owned by Danvil Yanoc of Pagadian City.

Sobejana said the victims were seized around 8:15 p.m. Saturday by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in the island municipality of Pangutaran, Sulu.

He said Yanoc reported to the Coastguard Station in Pagadian City that his two fishing boats, F/B Danvil 8 and F/B Danvil 2, with nine lightboats took shelter at port Poblacion, Pangutaran due to bad weather when they were abducted.

The Abu Sayyaf bandits are still holding more than a dozen hostages, mostly foreigners. DMS