Indonesian hostage found dead in Sulu
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The body of an Indonesian fisherman held hostage by Abu Sayyaf captors has been found in Patikul, Sulu.
“Our troops were pursuing Abu Sayyaf members following an encounter when they recovered the cadaver of the kidnap victim,” Lt. Col. Reuben Guinolbay, 45th Infantry Battalion commander, said.
Guinolbay said soldiers found the body of the victim on Tuesday some 300 meters away from the site of the encounter in Barangay Maligay.
Brig. Gen. William Gonzales, Joint Task Force Sulu and 11th Infantry Division commander, said the victim was positively identified as among the five Indonesian kidnap victims.
Gonzales said the identity of the fatality was withheld pending confirmation with Indonesian authorities.
Citing reports from ground troops, Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr. said the victim was shot when he tried to escape at the height of the encounter.
The five Indonesian captives had earlier been identified as Arsyad Dahlan, 41, skipper of a fishing boat, and fishermen Arizal Kastamiran, 29; La Baa, 32; Riswanto Hayano, 27, and Edi Lawalopo, 53. They were seized off Tambisan island on Jan. 16 and brought to Sulu.
They are the remaining hostages of Abu Sayyaf bandits. – John Unson
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