MANILA, Philippines - Police in Basilan province are now on the trail of unidentified armed men who abducted three Catholics in Basilan province Sunday morning.
Radio dzBB's Tuesday Niu reported Sunday night that Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police head Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao ordered the Basilan police to look into the incident.
Goltiao said Basilan bishop Martin Jumoad reported the incident to the ARMM police. He identified the three as Ronnie Ando, Wilma Sumerhido, and Sumerhido's son Michael.
Police said the incident occurred at 8 a.m. when the victims were on a passenger jeep heading for Lamitan City.
Before they could reach their destination, armed men blocked the jeep's path and held up the passengers. They took the three hostage after learning they were Catholics.
Meanwhile, Goltiao also said they are analyzing the "threat" letters supposedly from the Abu Sayyaf, threatening war if they do not convert to Islam or pay Islamic tax.
He said they still have their doubts about the letter as no one had signed them. - GMANews.TV