Six abducted by al-Qaeda-linked group in Philippines

AFP ^ | 9 April 08 | Unknown

[LSUfan]

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP) - Philippine police have mounted a search for six people abducted by Al-Qaeda-linked Muslim militants from a minibus in the south of the country, police said Wednesday.

The six, all local Muslim residents, were passengers on the bus in Maimbung town on the island of Jolo when the militants seized them on Monday, said provincial police chief, Superintendent Julasirim Kasim.

"We still don't know the motive for the kidnapping. It could be a personal grudge or anything," Kasim said.

Last week, Abu Sayyaf gunmen seized a Muslim schoolteacher, then released her a few hours later.

Kasim said the same group is responsible for the latest abduction.

It is believed that the schoolteacher's family negotiated her release.

The Abu Sayyaf are a group of Muslim extremists based in the southern islands of the Philippines who intelligence experts have linked to the al-Qaeda network.

The Abu Sayyaf has carried out the worst terror attacks in Philippine history including mass kidnappings of Christians and foreigners. Two American hostages died in Abu Sayyaf custody after one such abduction in 2001.

Earlier this month, the US embassy warned that extremists could be plotting to kidnap Americans and other foreigners in the south.

[LSUfan]

I am sure Pat Buchanan and Ron Paul will claim that Al Qaeda kidnapped these Muslims in the PI because the US supports Israel and we invaded Iraq...{sarcasm}