Vietnamese hostage rescued in Basilan

AVietnamese kidnap victim held captive by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) for nine months was rescued by military forces in Mataja Island, Basilan, on Sunday.

Do Trung Huiqe, a crew member of MV Royal 16, was rescued by elements of Joint Task Force Basilan, headed by Col. Juvymax R. Uy, with help from Naval Task Group Basilan and Naval Task Force 61, after carrying out a special intelligence operation.

The intensified military offensives sent the ASG bandits fleeing, that allowed the troops to launch the rescue operation.

Huiqe was abducted on November 11, 2016 off the waters of Coco Island, Basilan.

Huiqe was brought to a military hospital to undergo medical checkup and debriefing prior to his turn over to authorities, and eventually to the government of Vietnam.

Just recently, the Vietnamese government requested for the intensified monitoring of the Vietnamese kidnap victims during the visit of Navy chief Vice Admiral Joseph Ronald S. Mercado in Vietnam.

Rear Admiral Rene V. Medina, the Commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao, congratulated the troops for a job well done and asked for relentless efforts to free other kidnap victims, while preventing any more abduction and other lawless activities in the area.

Last week, troops of Joint Task Force Basilan were also able to rescue Filipino Edmundo Ramos, who was snatched by the Abu Sayyaf on July 16 along with three others while working on at a construction site in Sulu.

He was rescued by Navy personnel off the waters of Tapiantana, Basilan on August 14, while the three were rescued earlier on August 10.