Kidnapper of three Indonesians slain

Kidnapper of three Indonesians slain

PHILIPPINES: A Muslim gunman suspected of involvement in the abduction of three Indonesian seamen last year was shot dead by Philippine soldiers on the southern island of Jolo, a military statement said on Tuesday.

There was no word on the three Indonesians now believed to be held by a gang of rebels led by Radulan Sahiron.

Sarawi Mohamad Jamal, whose gang kidnapped the Indonesians at sea in June 2002, was shot dead in a gun battle on Monday in Patikul town.

The kidnap victims are understood to be no longer in Jamal's custody, having turned them over to the Abu Sayyaf guerrilla group of which Sahiron is a senior leader.

The gang had seized the Indonesians while the seamen were en route to the central Philippines to deliver a coal shipment. --AFP