Philippine police say al—Qaeda—linked militants are believed to be holding a Malaysian trader who was kidnapped on a restive southern island.
Regional police chief Bienvenido Latag Jr. says informants reported that Abu Sayyaf gunmen seized Mohammad Nazarudin bin Saidin on Sunday.
Mr. Latag said on Friday that Indanan township police on Jolo island are leading the rescue operation.
Malaysia’s consulate in southern Davao city says no group has claimed responsibility and no ransom has been demanded for the 38—year—old businessman who was buying geckos in Indanan.
The Abu Sayyaf has been blacklisted by the U.S. as terrorist group involved in bombings, kidnappings and beheadings.
