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Sri Lankan in Philippines kidnap | Sri Lankan in Philippines kidnap |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A Sri Lankan peace advocate has been taken from his home by nine armed men in the south of the Philippines. | A Sri Lankan peace advocate has been taken from his home by nine armed men in the south of the Philippines. |
Omar Jalil, 36, was based in Lamitan on Basilan Island for the nonpartisan group Nonviolent Peaceforce, which has been monitoring the Muslim insurgency. | Omar Jalil, 36, was based in Lamitan on Basilan Island for the nonpartisan group Nonviolent Peaceforce, which has been monitoring the Muslim insurgency. |
Militants are holding three teachers and a clerk on Basilan, and three Red Cross workers on nearby Jolo Island. | Militants are holding three teachers and a clerk on Basilan, and three Red Cross workers on nearby Jolo Island. |
The kidnap of Mr Jalil was seen as surprising by locals as he was described as a Muslim preacher. | The kidnap of Mr Jalil was seen as surprising by locals as he was described as a Muslim preacher. |
Lamitan city mayor Roderick Furigay told reporters that Mr Jalil had stayed on the island after other members of his group left. | |
"We are surprised the gunmen did not spare him for being a Muslim religious leader," Mr Furigay was quoted as saying. | "We are surprised the gunmen did not spare him for being a Muslim religious leader," Mr Furigay was quoted as saying. |
The Filipino caretaker at Mr Jalil's house managed to escape the gunmen and is reported to be helping troops search nearby jungles. | The Filipino caretaker at Mr Jalil's house managed to escape the gunmen and is reported to be helping troops search nearby jungles. |
Wave of kidnaps | Wave of kidnaps |
The recent upsurge in kidnappings has been attributed by some analysts to the Abu Sayyaf Group of armed militants, renowned for high profile kidnappings in which large ransoms are demanded. | |
Philippine troops have been trying to reach the area on Jolo Island where the three Red Cross workers - Eugenio Vagni, Mary Jean Lacaba and Andreas Notter - have been held since they were grabbed on 15 January. | Philippine troops have been trying to reach the area on Jolo Island where the three Red Cross workers - Eugenio Vagni, Mary Jean Lacaba and Andreas Notter - have been held since they were grabbed on 15 January. |
Earlier this week, clashes occurred in which the military says two militants were killed and nine marines wounded. | Earlier this week, clashes occurred in which the military says two militants were killed and nine marines wounded. |
Brigadier General Gaudencio Pangilinan said the hostages were believed to be unhurt. | Brigadier General Gaudencio Pangilinan said the hostages were believed to be unhurt. |
In phone calls and a radio broadcast last week, the hostages asked for a negotiated solution to their plight. |
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