Troops rescue 5 Filipino fishermen kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf

Five Filipino fishermen abducted by suspected Abu Sayyaf members last month have been rescued by government troops in Tawi-Tawi, military officials said Monday.

The victims were identified as Vergel Arquino, from Davao City; Jushua Ybanez, Emo Fausto, Junald Minalang, and Spriano Sordid, all from Pagadian City. They were crewmen of fishing boat Danvil 8 who were abducted last October 14 near the coastal area of Poblacion Simbahan, Pangutaran, Sulu.

Troops of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi and the Naval Task Group of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao Command rescued the five at the seawaters off Sugbay Island, Languyan, Tawi Tawi Province at 1:30 p.m. Friday following a thorough planning and build up.

Brigadier General Custodio Parcon Jr., task force commander, said the successful rescue was made possible due to the loose security of the captors.

Naval Forces Western Mindanao Command Rear Admiral Rene Medina said they found the opportunity to rescue the victims after learning that the captors were confused and on the run due to the continuing conduct of focused military operations in the area.

“The timing was critical since the captors may shoot the victims if they will know about the plan. We were able to lead them to safety through our contacts, thus this rescue,” Medina said.

Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez Jr., commander of Western Mindanao Command, said the victims were subjected to medical examinations upon their arrival at the headquarters to address their medical condition.

He commended their units for successful carrying out rescue operations through special operations.

“Just last week, three Vietnamese kidnap victims were rescued from the hands of the Abu Sayyaf captors also through connections and build up,” said Galvez.

“I commend the troops of NavForWem under Rear Admiral Medina and the marines of the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi under Brig. Gen Parcon for yet another successful rescue operation,” he added. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News