3 more Malaysian hostages rescued
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Joint Task Force Sulu (JTF-S) rescued three Malaysian boat crew members, who have been held captive by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) for eight months, in an operation Sunday night in the boundary of Sitio Kasanyangan Barangay Tuyang, Talipao, and Barangay Jinggan, Panglima Estino in Sulu Province.
JTF-S Commander Col. Cirilito Sobejana yesterday reported that troops of the 63rd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Marines Ready Force and Naval Intelligence Special Group-Western Mindanao were able to rescue Mohammad Jumadil Rahim, Mohammad Ridzuan Bin Ismail and Fandy Bin Bakran at about 11:30pm, Sunday, while the government forces were conducting focused military operations against the ASG.
Following the lead provided by two other Malaysian crew members – Tayudin Anjut and Abdurahim Bin Sumas who were rescued last Thursday in the seawaters off Kalinggalang Caluang near Pata island, Sulu Province, Sobejana dispatched all available resources to press the pursuit of the bandit group.
According to Sobejano, this relentless pursuit left the bandits no choice but to leave the Malaysians behind as they tried to evade the JTF-S dragnet.
“We are overwhelmed by the support we are receiving from the different organi- zations and entities that led to these recent successes,” Sobejana said.
“We will continue to exert all means to rescue all the kidnap victims that are still being held captive by these bandits,” he added.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) Commander Maj Gen Carlito G Galvez, Jr, lauded the troops for their selfless efforts.
After their rescue, the Malaysians were immediately brought to the Kuta Heneral Teodolfo Bautista Station Hospital in Barangay Bus-Bus in Jolo, Sulu, and were immediately attended to by military doctors and nurses
The three rescued victims were among the five Malaysian crewmen of T/B Serudung 3 kidnapped on last July 19, 2016 by the ASG under sub-leader Berham Lutian, alias Vietnam, in the waters off Dent Haven, Tambisan, Lahad Datu in Sabah. (With a report from Francis T. Wakefield)