Troops rescue 2 Malaysian hostages

March 23, 2017

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Government security forces rescued two Malaysian hostages early Thursday off Kalinggalang Caluang town in the island province of Sulu, the military said. Rescued were Tayudin Anjut, 45, and Abdurahim Bin Sumas, 62, said Major Generak Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief. Galvez said they were rescued by Marine Special Operations Group backed by the Marine Battalion Landing Teams 1 and 3 around 2 a.m. Thursday in the waters off Kalinggalang Caluang near the island town of Pata, Sulu. The troops brought the Malaysians to a military hospital in Jolo as they were “weak and sickly when they were recovered”, said Galvez. “Military doctors are now attending to them, as we speak, in our hospital in Sulu,” Galvez said. He disclosed the Marines got information that Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya and about 30 men were with two Malaysian hostages hiding at a mangrove in Barangay Karudong, Kalinggalang Caluang town. He said the information prompted the Marine troops to focus “at the reported area in order to rescue the victims.” “This accomplishment is a product of the combined efforts of our soldiers and the different stakeholders in putting pressure on the kidnappers for the past months,” he said. Anjut and Sumas were among five Malaysian crewmen of Tugboat Serudung 3 who were kidnapped on July 19, 2016 at the waters of Dent Haven, Tambisan, Lahad Datu, Sabah by the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Sibih Pissih. There are now 31 hostages, including 23 foreigners, held by the Abu Sayyaf. They consist of 11 Vietnamese, seven Indonesians, five Malaysians, one Dutch, one Korean, and eight Filipinos. DMS