ZAMBOANGA CITY—Sulu-based bandits on Sunday kidnapped three Indonesians in the waters of Lahad Datu, Malaysia, the military said here on Monday.
Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command spokesperson, said the victims—Lorence Koten, Teo Dorus Kopong and one identified only as Emanuel—were crew members of a fishing boat.
Tan said the suspects originally took all eight crew members of the vessel hostage but later freed five. He identified the vessel owner as Chia Tong Lim.
In Sulu, soldiers on Saturday morning rescued a 23-year-old school teacher who had been abducted by armed men last month.
Tan said members of the 41st Infantry Battalion rescued the teacher of Kanlagay Elementary School in Kalingalan Caluang town in Sulu.
The victim, who was held in Barangay Tagbak in Indanan town, said she was taken by armed men while on her way to school on June 20. She identified the leader of her abductors as Salim Susulan.
The other suspects were identified as Lauril Susulan, Basar Saudan, Jipy Susulan and Salma Saudan.
Tan said the victim told him she was forced to marry Salim on June 27.
He said the teacher was rescued when she screamed while the vehicle she was riding in stopped at a military checkpoint, prompting the soldiers to ask the passengers to alight and come inside the camp of the 12th Light Armored Cavalry.
The suspects are in the custody of the Indanan police.