A Philippines military official says al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants have barged into the main government compound in southern Sulu province and abducted the provincial treasurer.
Marine Col. Jose Cenabre says two police bodyguards opened fire but failed to stop the abduction after they were overwhelmed by up to 10 Abu Sayyaf militants, who snatched Jesus Cabilin late on Monday in his quarters in the Sulu provincial capital compound.
Ms. Cenabre said Tuesday it was not clear how the militants, who travelled in a van, managed to slip past police guards in the tightly secured compound, which lies near the provincial military headquarters and airport.
While Abu Sayyaf abductions still occur, they are far fewer today than the massive kidnappings that terrorized Sulu and outlying provinces in the early 2000s.
