Soldiers save Indonesians, wounded NPA

From the Daily Tribune (Sep 17): Soldiers save Indonesians, wounded NPA

Philippine military rescued three Indonesians who were long held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu.

The three Indonesians have been Abu Sayyaf captives since January 2017 in Tawi-Tawi and were subjects of rescue missions by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) since the day of their abduction by the ISIS-inspired group.

The Indonesian hostages were identified as Hamdam Salim, 34; Subandi Sattuh, 27 and Sudarlan Samansung, 41. They were rescued in Barangay Buanza, Idanan.

All three are fishermen. They will be repatriated after they have been turned over to the Indonesian embassy.

The freed Abu Sayyaf victims were turned over to JTF Sulu Commander, Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo Jr., former governor Abdusakur Tan and Provincial Director of the Sulu Provincial Police Office Supt. Pablo Labra II.

The rebel was abandoned by his comrades after he was heavily wounded as a result of the exchange of gunfire between the government and rebel forces.

According to reports, the three hostages were forcibly taken last 18 January 2017 while they were onboard a speedboat off the waters of Taganak Island, Tawi-Tawi.

The rescue was made possible through the collective efforts of the Joint Task Force Sulu, Miss Tarhata Misuari, Abdul Kiram Misuari and former governor Abdusakur Tan.

They were immediately brought to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for medical check-up and custodial debriefing.

Last Friday, government troops also rescued a wounded member of the New People’s Army following an encounter in Davao Oriental.

The rebel was abandoned by his comrades after he was heavily wounded as a result of the exchange of gunfire between the government and rebel forces.

The wounded rebel was identified as Jason Languban.

He was rescued in Barangay Maragatas, Lupon at 9 a.m. on tips provided by the residents to the troops belonging to the 28th Infantry Battalion.

Upon interrogation, Languban said he was from Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

The military rushed Languban to the Camp Panacan Station Hospital before he was transferred to the Southern Philippines Medical Center, also in Davao City.

http://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2018/09/17/soldiers-save-indonesians-wounded-npa/