Soldiers rescue two kidnap victims in Sulu

November 2, 2018

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Soldiers rescued two kidnap victims and arrested four suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in the province of Sulu, police reported Friday.

The Sulu Provincial Police Office said rescued were Jose Duterte, 63, and Radzmalyn Astah, seven, of Zamboanga del Norte and Tawi- Tawi.

Police said Duterte was rescued by the Joint Task Force Sulu and Naval Forces Western Mindanao around 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Kandayok, Panamao, Sulu. His wife, who was also abducted by the Abu Sayyaf,  had been recovered by the military last year.

Astah's rescue came after troops located Duterte.

Duterte and his wife, Jessica, 53, were seized by five Abu Sayyaf bandits in the evening of March 3, 2017 while they were resting in their home near the shore in Barangay Sta. Maria, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

The Abu Sayyaf freed Jessica on October 31, 2017 in Basilan province.

Police said four Abu Sayyaf members were arrested when Astah was rescued by policemen around 2:45 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Walled City, Jolo.

Police said the arrest was made after the victim’s grandfather paid ransom to the Abu Sayyaf.

The police withheld names of the arrested Abu Sayyaf.

Astah was seized by the Abu Sayyaf in the evening of June 25, 2018 in Sitio Polao Pinang, Barangay Himba, Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi.



Astah’s mother, Rahsa Malyn, was injured when she was seized as her father, Rahim, put up a fight that triggered a brief shootout after the Abu Sayyaf  pretended to buy from them. DMS