MANILA — The Philippine National Police said Friday it was conducting hot pursuit operations following the alleged abduction of an American national in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte.

Initial reports said that the American national was married to a Filipina and had only been staying in the Philippines for around five months when he was taken by still unidentified suspects on Thursday night.

The Associated Press said that according to a police report, four men armed with M16 rifles introduced themselves as police officers and forcibly took the victim, who tried to escape.

“Ini-exhaust natin lahat ng pwersa sa area para magtulungan po dito sa hot pursuit operations, gumamit ho sila ng bangka sa pag-alis,” Zamboanga Peninsula police spokesperson LtCol. Helen Galvez said.

“We are coordinating also with our AFP counterparts, and as of this time wala pa tayong reports kung nasaan sila, wala pa tayong natatanggap na any balita,” she added.

Galvez clarified that the kidnapping was an isolated case in the area of Barangay Sibuco and does not affect the general peace and order of the Zamboanga region.

“Meron na tayong security in place with the police command, as well our regional director ay papunta na doon sa area para matingnan ang imbestigasyon,” she added.