December 28, 2000, ABS-CBN, Catholic priest ambushed by Abu Sayyaf in Sulu,

December 28, 2000, ABS-CBN, Catholic priest ambushed by Abu Sayyaf in Sulu,

ZAMBOANGA (ABS-CBN) - A Catholic priest was killed in an ambush staged by suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Thursday morning in Sulu.

Father Benjie Inocencio suffered a fatal gunshot wound in the head after a group of armed men strafed their vehicle in Hadji Butu in the outskirts of Jolo town.

In a telephone interview, Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan said members of the military who were with Father Inocencio fired-back at the suspects killing one of them.

Father Inocencio's driver, a driver of the municipal government and an MNLF integree were also wounded in the brief shoot-out.

Initial investigations revealed the slain suspect is among those who were earlier apprehended by the military in the Tulay mosque in Jolo town at the height of the military offensives against the extremist group.

Father Inocencio's body is now at the morgue while the wounded victims are presently confined at the Sulu Provincial Hospital.

Kidnapped businesswoman

Meanwhile, the police in the region denies reports that a kidnapped businesswoman from Zamboanga del Sur was assassinated by her abductors.

Police regional director for administrations Porcawa Dia said they have not received any confirmation of the reported killing of Marilyn Tiu, who was forcibly taken by a group of armed men from her residence in Alicia town, Zamboanga del Sur last November 28.

Responding civilian volunteers have engaged the kidnappers in a series of encounters as the group tried to escape dragging along their lady captive.

The suspects were believed to have sought refuge in one of the islands off the coasts of Zamboanga City.

Tiu, who is engaged in the buy and sell of marine products was abducted by a group of armed men believed to be members of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), led by a certain Commander Kiddie in Barangay Gicam, Alicia town, Zamboanga del Sur.

Already, six members of the abductors were killed as government troops continue pursuit operations against the kidnappers.

(With a report from Queenie Casimiro)