Operation to save Abu Sayyaf's coast guard captives launched

From the Philippine Star (Jun 28): Operation to save Abu Sayyaf's coast guard captives launched

Ground troops launched operations with police forces to save Philippine Coast Guard captives from possible beheading by the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu, an official said.

Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said Saturday the Abu Sayyaf threatened to execute Seaman 2nd Class Gringo Villaruz, and Seaman 1st Class Rod Pagaling and village chairman Roberto Bulagao if the government could not pay their ransom demand.

The victims were taken on May 4 in island resort off Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.

The militants paraded their captives half-naked with a bolo planted in one of the victims’ neck in a video clip uploaded in social media on Tuesday.

Muyuela said the Joint Task Group Sulu and the provincial police launched the operations against the militants.

"The Joint Task Forces have exerted all efforts to assist the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the law enforcement operations," Muyuela said.

Muyuela said ground forces have been in close coordination with the police to neutralize members of the Abu Sayyaf and safely recover the hostages.

She said the military also provided support for local government units in the operation.

Muyuela said Dapitan City government convened a crisis management committee to assist the victims' family in coping with the situation.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/06/27/1470603/operation-save-abu-sayyafs-coast-guard-captives-launched