Family confirms escape of kidnapped coastguards

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 20):  Family confirms escape of kidnapped coastguards

The teary-eyed wife of the kidnapped coastguard on Thursday confirmed that her husband has escaped from the hands of their captors--Abu Sayyaf--in Sulu.

Judy, the wife of Seaman First Class Rod Pagaling, said she would be flying to Manila anytime soon to meet her husband.

“The coastguard in Manila has called us and took my name along with our 1-year-old child. We will be flying to Manila to meet and fetch my husband,” Judy said.

She said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed that Pagaling and another coast guard Second Class Gringo Villaluz have been safely secured by the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Task Force Sulu.

Pagaling hailed from Cagayan De Oro City while Villaluz came from Davao.

Both are with the PCG District based in Cagayan De Oro City when they, along with village chief Rodolfo Buligao were kidnapped by the terrorist group on May 4 this year in the Aliguay Island in Dapitan.

The ASG has threatened to execute their three captives if a Php1-million ransom each would not be given.

Last week, the terrorist group killed Buligao and recorded the execution that went viral to social media.

“I trembled in fear when I saw the live execution in the social media,” Judy told reporters.

Judy said she was happy and relived now that her husband was able to escape the terrorists.

The Philippine Marines and the ASG locked in a fierce battle last Wednesday in Indanan town in Sulu.

At least 15 ASG terrorists have been killed while allowing the two PCG personnel to flee from their captors.

In Malacanang, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma commended the AFP for conducting successful operation that allowed the PCG men to escape.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=795169