ZAMBOANGA CITY: Suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen seized a hardware store owner in Patikul town in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, police said on Wednesday.

Police said Archie Hablo, 29, whose family owns the Sincere Enterprises in Jolo town, was traveling on a motorcycle with his brother Miko late Tuesday, when the gunmen, who were riding a jeepney, blocked their path and seized the businessman.