TWO Indonesian nationals who were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf Group were rescued during a military operations in Sulu, a military official said on Sunday, December 22.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao command commander Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana said Maharudin Lunani and Samion Bin Maniue were rescued on Sunday morning in Panamao in Sulu.
"Dun (sila nakidnap) sa tribroundary ng Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippiness, sa Sabah side, Malaysian side, kinuha nila tapos dinala nya dyan sa Jolo," he said.
He said the rescue was a result of firefight between the rebel group and the government forces in the said area which resulted in the killing of a soldier and a rebel member.
Sobejana said they are continuously pursuing the group which is still holding one more kidnap foreign kidnap victim.
“Nakakuha na tayo ng initial information from the rescued victims, at sinasabi nila na nandun pa, kaya nagpadagdag pa ako ng additonal forces to really cordon the area and recover the last remaining, one indonesia kidnap victim,” he said.
“Ito ‘yung part of our relentless effort to rescue the remaining kidnap victims before the end of the year and at the same time ito ‘yung ating, ang ginagawa natin is to meet the target of the President to nuetralize the Abu Sayyaf, so we are looking for the neutralization of the two key leaders, Sawadjaan and Radulan Sahiron. Ito may remaining few days pa tayo, titingnan natin,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)