Troops rescue loggers kidnapped in Zamboanga del Norte

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Troops on Monday rescued four loggers after a pursuit operation in the mountains of Sirawai town, Zamboanga del Norte against their abductors.

 

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. , Western Mindanao Command chief said the victims — Roger Jung-an, Jomar Maglangit, Jomar Mantangan and Raymond Purisima — were rescued Monday afternoon. They been held for nine days.

 

"The victims were left by their disoriented captors after soldiers and policemen had been relentlessly pursuing them since their abduction," Galvez said.

 

The military said the kidnapping victims were chainsaw operators and laborers from Barangay San Vicente in Sirawai. They were abducted near Barangay Panabutan on March 3. Another laborer who was abducted with them was killed in the crossfire during the rescue operation.

 

"They were originally five when they were kidnapped... One of them was hit in the crossfire during an encounter between our soldiers and their captors on March 7," said Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, commander of the Joint Task Force Zampelan.

 

According to Murillo, residents and officials of Barangay Libucon contacted the 42nd Infantry Battalion for the turnover of the four kidnap victims. Villagers found the men after their captors abandoned them.