January 22, 2002, AFP, Engineer victim of new kidnap bid in southern Philippines,

January 22, 2002, AFP, Engineer victim of new kidnap bid in southern Philippines,

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines, Jan 22 (AFP) -

A consultant to a British construction firm has been kidnapped in strife-torn southern Philippines, the military said Tuesday.

Filipino engineer Jimmy Macusi was seized by nine armed men in Lanao del Sur province on Monday, military spokesman Major Johnny Macanas said.

Macusi is a consultant to the British-owned Mabay and Johnson Company, which is building a bridge, Macanas said.

Authorities have yet to determine the identities of the suspects while the family is awaiting word for any ransom demand, he added.

Macusi's abduction is the latest in the south where Muslim armed groups have made it a practice to kidnap Christians and foreigners for ransom.

An Italian priest, a US Christian missionary couple and a Filipina nurse are being held by Muslim gunmen elsewhere in the south.