3 Indonesians seized in Sulu attack

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Military authorities on Friday said soldiers had rescued two Filipino kidnap victims from the hands of Abu Sayyaf bandits on Thursday.

But the good news was overshadowed when Major General Carlito Galvez Jr., the commander of the Western Mindanao Command, also reported that three Indonesians had also been taken on the same day off Sulu.

The victims, according to a Westmicom news release, were among the six crew members of a Sandakan-registered fishing vessel, who were initially reported missing after an attack by armed men in the sea borders of Philippines and Malaysia.

The Indonesian victims were identified as Hamdan Bin Salim, Subandu Bin Sattu and Sudarling Samansung based on the list provided by the Indonesian Police Attache’, according to Lt. Colonel Raphael Alano, the acting Westmincom spokesperson.

The fate of their three companions remain unclear, he said.

Galvez said those rescued on Thursday were Esteban Janamjam, 49, of General Santos City; and Dulce Almers, 50, of Apo Beach in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, all of them male.

“They were rescued in Indanan, Sulu. They were in captivity for two months,” Galvez said.

He said Janamjam and Almers were abducted on October 26 while fishing off Pangutaran Island in Sulu.

Galvez said the Joint Task Force “Sulu“ (JTFS) was able to monitor the location of the kidnap victims and  initiated actions by conducting a special operation. “Having caught the captors off guard, troops took advantage of the situation in rescuing the hostages,” he added.

Esteban and Almers were ferried here for medical checkup and debriefing before they were sent home.

They were also provided financial assistance, according to Galvez. CDG

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