(Eagle News) — The military has rescued an Indonesian national who had been held hostage by Abu Sayyaf members for four months.
In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command said Juragan Kapal Samsul Saguni was rescued by the 5th Infantry Division and 11th Infantry Division on Tuesday, Jan. 15, in Sulu.
The Wesmincom said the rescue was made possible by former Sulu gov. Abdul Sakur Tan.
According to the Wesmincom, the Indonesian national was brought to Tan’s residence in Poblacion, Maimbung, at 4:30 p.m.
He has also already undergone a medical checkup, the Wesmincom said.
“Our Joint Task Force Sulu is committed in rescuing captives of the Abu Sayyaf and in ending the terrorist group’s kidnap and ransom ploys..,” Wesmincom commander Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega said.
He said this was “through the consistent conduct of counter operations against the militants and through through the strengthened cooperation with the local government and the people of Sulu to encourage the capitulations of the rest of the Abu Sayyaf militants,” Dela Vega said.
