Another Filipino sailor rescued in Basilan

March 28, 2017

ZAMBOANGA CITY– Soldiers rescued another Filipino sailor after four days of operations in Basilan province.

Major General Carlito Galvez, Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said Laurencio Tiro, 62, was rescued around 10:30 pm Monday along the shore in Sitio Sasa, Barangay Basakan, Hadji Mohammad Ajul.

Army Special Forces soldiers with members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT)  led the rescue of Tiro at Hadji Mohammad Ajul town.

Tiro, chief engineer of M/T Tug R9, was seized by the Abu Sayyaf bandits together with his captain, Aurelio Agac-ac, 42, on March 23 off Basilan province.

The M/T Tug R9 towing the Super Shuttle Roro 9 was steaming near Sibago Island, Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan, when the Abu Sayyaf seized Tiro and Agac-ac. Troops rescued Agac-ac in Barangay Basakan, Hadji Mohammad Ajul on Saturday.

“The rescue and recovery of Mr. Agac-ac and Mr. Tiro from the clutches of the terrorist ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) is the success of a military- political-social approach in thwarting violent extremism and criminality from establishing foot holds in our communities,” he added.

Tiro was escorted to the headquarters of 19 th Special Forces Company in Barangay Dangcalan, Lamitan City to see a medical team. Then Tiro went to Westmincom headquarters.

Tiro will be sent Tuesday afternoon to his family in Cebu City where his wife is celebrating her birthday. DMS