Abu Sayyaf kidnaps 2 Fil-Morrocan filmmakers

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines has called on security forces and local officials to “coordinate and move for the safe and speedy release” of the Fil-Moroccan sisters who were kidnapped on June 22. Nadjova and Linda Abdelbasit, both indie filmmakers, were kidnapped by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Barangay Liangm Patikul, Sulu, the military said.  Nadjova took up film studies at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University and works for Amnesty International. Her film Bohe, Sons of the Waves (“bohe” is Tausug for “water”) earned her a nomination for the Gawad Urian and Cinemalaya Awards.

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Editor’s note: In a previous version of this story’s graphic, we placed a black flag with Arabic calligraphy on top of the word “kidnapping.” The black flag has been associated with the Abu Sayyaf Group, which was tagged by the military for this kidnapping. We regret that this juxtaposition, which lacked the proper context, has offended some people.