2 Pinoys rescued from Abus

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Government troops rescued two Filipino hostages of the Abu Sayyaf yesterday morning in Indanan, Sulu, according to the military.

The Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) sent a report to the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) and identified the freed hostages as Dolcesimo Almires and Esteban Janamjam.

The victims were rescued by elements of the JTFS led by Lt. Col. Arnel Baccay of Air Intelligence Service Group and Joint Intelligence Task Force Sulu led by Lt. Col. Yusop Hassan at about 9:15 a.m. in Barangay Tagbak, Indanan.

The two hostages were immediately brought to the JTFS headquarters at Camp Teodulfo Bautista, Barangay Bus-bus in Jolo, Sulu.  

The military said based on the debriefing, the victims disclosed that they were abducted on Oct. 25, 2016 while on board their boats off Pangutaran, Sulu and were held by the Abu Sayyaf group led by sub-leader Jaber Susukan in Barangay Kumapid, Talipao town.

The victims disclosed that they were escorted by two Abu Sayyaf members and were on their way to another area in Parang, Sulu yesterday when they were intercepted and rescued by the troops.

Their Abu Sayyaf escorts reportedly escaped after sensing the presence of the government forces.