MANILA, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Islamist militants have abducted a seven-year-old daughter of a store owner in the coastal village on Tawi-Tawi island, the Philippine military said on Wednesday.
Brig. Gen. Custodio Parcon, the provincial commander, said the victim, Radzmalyn Astah, was seized in Himba, a village in Tandubas town on Tawi-Tawi island on Monday.
He said the victim's mother was wounded in the shootout that ensued when the victim's father fired at the militants.
Parcon said the gunmen, posing as customers, docked their two motor boats on the shore pretending to buy gasoline around 9:30 a.m. local time on Monday.
Initial investigation showed the victim's father became suspicious of the real motive of the militants. He reportedly drew his hand gun and fired at the militants, prompting the gunmen to fire back.
The victim's mother and one of the militants were reportedly wounded in the shootout, Parcon said.
One of the gunmen reportedly grabbed the girl, boarded the boats and fled immediately.
Tawi-Tawi, the Philippines' southernmost province famed for virgin beaches surrounded by crystal blue waters, is undeveloped for tourism because of years of violence, including ransom kidnappings, bomb attacks and fighting between troops and rebels.?
