THE Abu Sayyaf bandits have freed the three Indonesian they kidnapped over a year ago in the waters of Tawi-Tawi, the military reported on Sunday, September 16.

Released around 4 p.m., Saturday, September 15, in the village of Buanza, Indanan, Sulu, were Hamdam Bin Salim, 34; Subande Satto, 27; and, Sudarlan Samansung, 41.

Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said the three Indonesians were freed due to mounting pressures by the continuous military offensive and efforts exerted by the government officials in Sulu.

Besana said the free Indonesians were turned over to Brigadier General Divino Rey Pabayo, Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, former Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, and Senior Superintendent Pablo Labra, Sulu police director, who fetched them in the village of Buanza.

He said the free hostages were immediately taken to Camp General Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for medical check-up and custodial debriefing.

He said aside from Tan, the release of the three Indonesians was also made possible through the joint efforts of Tarhata Misuari, wife of of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chair, Nuruladji; and, Abdul Kiram Misuari

The Abu Sayyaf bandits seized the three Indonesians last January 18 while they were aboard a fishing vessel near Taganak Island, Tawi-Tawi.

Taganak, which is part of Turtle Islands municipality in Tawi-Tawi, is located at the very edge of the international treaty limits separating the Philippines from Malaysia.

Besana said the freed Indonesians were presented to Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, Westmincom chief, who turned the over on Sunday to Dr. Sinyo Harry Sarundajang, Indonesian ambassador.

Besana disclosed that the Abu Sayyaf bandits are still holding captives 11 people in the hinterlands of Sulu province.

He said the hostages included two foreigners--one Dutch and one Vietnamese--and nine Filipinos. (SunStar Philippines)