An Indonesian held captive by Abu Sayyaf bandits was rescued by government security forces on Tuesday in Sulu, the military said Wednesday.
In a statement, the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom), identified the rescued hostage as Juragan Kapal Samsul Saguni who was held captive for four months.
The military said the victim was rescued through the efforts of former Sulu Governor Abdul Sakur Tan and soldiers of the 41st Infantry Battalion, and the 5th Infantry Division and 11th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.
He was immediately brought to the residence of Tan in Poblacion, Maimbung, Sulu around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Soldiers from the Joint Task Force Sulu, for their part, facilitated the custodial debriefing of Saguni at the JTF Sulu headquarters in Barangay Bus-bus, Jolo, Sulu.
The victim also underwent a medical check at Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Hospital in Barangay Bus-bus and his medical results showed he was physically healthy, according to Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo Jr.
Saguni, however, will still be brought to the headquarters of the Western Mindanao Command for debriefing.
“Our Joint Task Force Sulu is committed in rescuing captives of the Abu Sayyaf and in ending the terrorist group’s kidnap and ransom ploys through the consistent conduct of counter operations against the militants and through the strengthened cooperation with the local government and the people of Sulu to encourage the capitulations of the rest of the Abu Sayyaf militants,” said Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Wesmincom commander.