Abu Sayyaf bandits seized a Chinese businessman in Sulu late Monday afternoon.

Still-unidentified armed men believed to be Abu Sayyaf bandits seized a Chinese businessman in Sulu late Monday afternoon.1Lt. Steffani Cacho, information officer of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command, said the incident took place at about 5:30 p.m. in barangay Kakuyagan, Jolo, the capital town of Sulu.Cacho identified the victim as Diongin Que, the owner of Lengs Restaurant.She said Que was abducted by five gunmen.Abu Sayyaf bandits are also holding three staffs members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) who were seized on January 15.Cacho said responding policemen recovered the getaway vehicle of the kidnappers in barangay Tagbak, Indanan town.The kidnappers have not yet established communication with Que’s family. Que is the second Chinese businessman to be seized in Sulu in less than two months.The first was Xili Wu, alias Peter Go, who was kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf bandits last December 13 in downtown Jolo.Go, 28, is one of the five owners of Perlas Trading, which is engaged in the export of seafood.With Que’s kidnapping, the total number of people kidnapped in Sulu, Basilan and Zamboanga since the start of the year has increased to 11.The other victims are a businessman and three teachers from Zamboanga City; a midwife; and a nine-year-old child from Basilan, aside from the three ICRC staff members and two Chinese businessmen in Sulu.In Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat said he has allowed emissaries to negotiate for the release of the three public-school teachers.Lobregat said the emissaries voluntarily offered their services in working for the release of the teachers, who are assigned on the island-barangays of Zamboanga City.Lobregat stressed that any negotiation would not involve the payment of ransom.The kidnappers are asking a P6-million ransom for the three teachers.