Hostage escapes from Abu Sayyaf in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 8): Hostage escapes from Abu Sayyaf in Sulu

A fishing boat crew escaped from the hands of the Abu Sayyaf bandits in the province of Sulu on Tuesday, Col. Cirilito Sobejana Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said Thursday.

The escapee, identified as Roy Ramos, one of the crew of F/B Ramona, managed to escape two days ago in the hinterlands of Patikul town.

Ramos was recovered by barangay officials in Sitio Kandabaw, Barangay Lagtoh, Talipao, an adjacent town of Patikul.

The village officials turned over Ramos to the Talipao town mayor, who in turn informed the Joint Task Force Sulu at 9:15 a.m. today (June 8).

Sobejana said Ramos was brought to the Joint Task Force Sulu headquarters in Camp Bautista, Jolo, and has undergone medical examination.

He said that appropriate debriefing shall also be conducted on Ramos and “his family will be informed accordingly.”

Ramos is one of the four crew of F/B Ramona the Abu Sayyaf bandits seized on December 20, 2016 in the Celebes Sea that borders the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.

The F/B Ramona is owned by the Ramona Fishing Corporation based in the town of Tukuran, Zamboanga del Norte.

Unfortunately, the Abu Sayyaf have killed by beheading Noel Besconde, the skipper of F/B Ramona, on April 13 this year in revenge to the death of Muamar Askali alia Abu Rami, the Abu Sayyaf spokesperson.

Government troops have killed Askali in a firefight in April 12, this year in Inabanga, Bohol.

Two other crew of F/B Ramona-- Reyjim Rocabo, the boat mechanic and Roel Liones, a crew, remain in captivity.

They were reportedly being held captives by the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan in Patikul, Sulu.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/994300