Balikbayan, 2 others kidnapped in Zamboanga

ABS-CBN News

Posted at Jul 12 2011 09:37 AM | Updated as of Jul 13 2011 05:07 AM

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – A balikbayan and 2 others were abducted by alleged rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in an island-barangay off Zamboanga City before dawn Tuesday, local officials said.



The victims were identified as Gerspa Lunsmann, her son Kevin Eric, and nephew Romnick Jakaria.



They were abducted by about 14 armed men at their residence in Barangay Tictabon, said Col. Buenaventura Pascual, commander of the military's Task Force Zamboanga.



Alma Jakaria, a sister of Romnick, said they were asleep in one of the huts surrounding the resthouse when she was awakened by an armed man.



Other gunmen went inside the resthouse and forcibly took Lunsmann, her son, and Romnick. They were dragged to 2 awaiting pumpboats that sped off towards the direction of Basilan province.



Pascual said authorities identified 2 of the victims through their US passports.



Gerspa is a native of Zamboanga but has married an American. She is now a resident of Virginia, USA.



She and her son have been in the province for 10 days for a vacation and were supposed to leave Wednesday.



The military said the kidnappers are led by one Waning Abdulsalam, who is allegedly chief of the MILF's Special Operations Group in Zamboanga Sibugay province.



"Latest intelligence information states that (the) victims were brought to Barangay Sengad, Tuburan, Basilan under ASG [Abu Sayyaf Group] commander Pula," said Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the military's Western Mindanao Command.



He was referring to Abu Sayyaf Group leader Abu Jumdail, alias Commander Abu Pula.



Some rogue MILF rebels allegedly have ties with the Abu Sayyaf, which has links to regional terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah and Al Qaeda.



The military and the police have launched operations to rescue the victims, according to Pascual.



Naval boats and police patrol boats were deployed in search for the kidnappers and the victims.



The Lunsmanns have been in Tigtabon since July 1.



Alma said since they have been island hopping, swimming and taking pictures of beautiful sceneries.



Hadji Atta Mohammad Nur, village chief of Tigtabon, said the Lunsmanns were advised to coordinate with local authorities so that they will be given security.



However, "ayaw nila mag coordinate sa atin," Mohammad Nur said.



The abductors have yet to contact the victims' relatives, as of Tuesday night. – reports from Queenie Casimiro, ABS-CBN News Zamboanga