AN INDONESIAN fisherman, who was kidnapped more than four months ago, was rescued by troops in the hinterlands of Sulu, the military said Wednesday, January 16.

Juragan Kapal Samsul Saguni was rescued on Tuesday afternoon, but the military authorities did not disclose the exact location where he was rescued.

Saguni was rescued through the efforts of former Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan and troops of the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion, 5th Infantry Division, and the 11th Infantry Division.

Brigadier General Divino Rey Pabayo, Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said that Saguni was brought to the residence of Tan around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the village of Poblacion, Maimbung, Sulu.

Pabayo said Saguni was found to be physically healthy based on the medical examination results of the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo, the capital of Sulu.

Saguni was kidnapped along with a companion, Usman Yunos, on September 11, 2018 aboard a fishing vessel in the waters of Semporna, Sabah.

Joint Marine and police forces rescued Yunos on December 6, 2018 in the village of Bual, Luuk, Sulu.

Pabayo said the Abu Sayyaf bandits are still holding captives eight people--five foreigners and three Filipinos--in the hinterlands of Sulu. (SunStar Philippines)