5 fishermen rescued from Abu Sayyaf captors
Vergel Arguino, 25, a resident of Davao City; Jushua Ybanes, 23; Emo Fausto, 63; Junald Minalang, 24, and Soriano Sardido, 53, all of Pagadian were rescued off Sugbay island in Languyan town on Friday, Rear Admiral Rene Medina, Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander, said yesterday. File
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Five fishermen have been rescued from Abu Sayyaf bandits on an island off Tawi-Tawi.
Vergel Arguino, 25, a resident of Davao City; Jushua Ybanes, 23; Emo Fausto, 63; Junald Minalang, 24, and Soriano Sardido, 53, all of Pagadian were rescued off Sugbay island in Languyan town on Friday, Rear Admiral Rene Medina, Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander, said yesterday.
The fishermen were on F/B Danvil 8 when they were taken off the coast of Barangay Poblacion in Pangutaran, Sulu at about 8:15 p.m. on Oct. 18.
Medina said the hostages were rescued following sustained search and rescue operations conducted by personnel of the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi.
He said the task force intensified its efforts after the bandits threatened to execute one of the hostages.
“One of the victims was scheduled to be beheaded last Thursday,” he said.
Medina said the Abu Sayyaf demanded P3 million for the release of the victims.
Task force commander Brig. Gen. Custodio Parcon Jr. said the bandits were forced to abandon their hostages to avoid being arrested.
Minalang confirmed that they were separated from their captors when the soldiers pounded their position with cannons.
He said they were with another local captive.
The military witheld the identity of the other hostage for security reasons.
The release of the five fishermen came barely a week after three Vietnamese sailors were rescued and the body of another was recovered off Languyan town.
Seventeen hostages, including seven foreigners remain in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf.
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