Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, a military spokesmen, says Abu Sayyaf gunmen seized Virgilio Fernandez on Friday in the town of Lamitan, where the engineer’s company is building a road. He is the third kidnap victim since December in Basilan.

Cabangbang said Saturday that there was no immediate ranson demand.

He said the same group of gunmen also seized a resort owner in December and a teenage student last month and have demanded ransom for their release. They are still being held.

The Abu Sayyaf has been blacklisted by the US as terrorist organization involved in bombings, kidnappings and beheadings.