Friday, April 5, 2019

Marine troops rescue Malaysian fisherman in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 5, 2019): Marine troops rescue Malaysian fisherman in Sulu

Philippine Marine troops have successfully rescued a Malaysian fisherman kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits more than four months ago in Pegasus Reef Kinabatangan, Malaysia.

The Joint Task Force Sulu said that Jari Abdullah, 34, was rescued around 4:25 p.m. Thursday following a firefight in Barangay Bahkaan in Banguingui, Sulu.

The Philippine Marine Ready Force-Sulu troopers retrieved Abdullah near the ASG bandits' withdrawal route 15 minutes after the firefight against the terrorist group under Najir Arik.
Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said Abdullah managed to escape but was wounded after his captors shot him "before he was secured by the troops”.

The troops immediately airlifted Abdullah to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Hospital in Barangay Bus-bus, Jolo for medical attention.

Pabayo said there were no casualties on the government side.

“This latest tactical gain of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Sulu was made possible through the continued support of the peace-loving Tausug communities,” Pabayo said.

“The act of shooting the kidnap victim is indicative of the Abu Sayyaf’s hopelessness and desperateness as the bandits are now surrounded by our pursuing troops. The AFP in Sulu is now more motivated to hunt down these terrorists,” Pabayo said.

Abdullah was seized on December 6, 2018 along with two Indonesian fishermen from their boat while fishing at Pegasus Reef Kinabatangan, Malaysia.

The other Indonesians were identified as Heri Ardiansyah, 19, and Hariadin, 45. There was no report about their whereabouts.

“Marine troops continue their pursuit and offensives to run down militants and rescue captives on said island,” said Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief.

“Troops maximize combat and intelligence buildup to track down and close in on evading terrorists, delivering deliberate operations to ensure the safety of kidnap victims on Simisa Island,” dela Vega added.

The Sulu-based ASG bandits are still holding captive close to 10 people, including foreigners, seized in separate occasions.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066591

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