Two Chinese abducted in Philippines

The incident happened yesterday in Kabasalan, a town of the southern province of Zamboanga Sibugay, Directorate for Integrated Police Operation for western Mindanao, Manuel Barcena, said today.

The two victims have been identified as Jampong Lin and James Lou, both from Guangdong province of China engaging in mining business, he added.

According to Barcena, police investigation disclosed that six gunmen barged into their rented house and seized them at gunpoint around 8 pm (local time) in Kabasalan town yesterday.

The gunmen dragged them into a white van and fled away, Chinese state run Xinhua news agency reported today.

The vehicle was later found torched and abandoned in a nearby village. .

"However, the vehicle was already on fire when it was recovered by the pursuing police forces and no trace was found of the victims," Barcena said.

The gunmen have not yet contacted the victim's families for their demand in exchange for the release of them, he added.