‘Rescue ops for 3 Indonesian kidnap victims underway’

MANILA, Philippines — Rescue operations for three Indonesians kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf bandits in the waters off Sabah are ongoing, a military official has assured the Indonesian government.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command chief, gave this assurance during a courtesy call of Indonesian consul general Dicky Fabrian at his office in Zamboanga City on Tuesday.

“We want to rescue them too. It’s just that our soldiers got the Hyrons first,” Sobejana told Fabrian, referring to British businessman Allan Hyrons and his wife Wilma, who were rescued in Parang, Sulu on Monday after almost two months in captivity.

“Our rescue operations are continuing. We are not stopping. We have a dedicated force whose mission is to secure the safe release of the three Indonesian hostages,” Sobejana said.

The Indonesians were snatched from a Malaysian fishing vessel off the coast of Tambisan Island in Lahad Datu last September.

Fabrian was in Zamboanga to attend the 7th trilateral port visit and Maritime Training Activities (MTA) hosted by the Naval Forces Western Mindanao.

The diplomat was accompanied by representatives of the Malaysian and Indonesian governments during the three-day port visit and MTA activities.