Indonesian fisherman rescued in Sulu

December 6, 2018

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Government troops rescued an Indonesian fisherman following his escape from the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, the Western Mindanao Command said Thursday.

Lt. Col. Gerry Besana,  Westmincom information officer,  said Usman Yusuf, 30, was rescued but they don’t have details. The Abu Sayyaf  seized Yusuf and his skipper, Samsul Saguni, 40, from a fishing vessel around 1 a.m. of September 11, 2018, near Gaya Island, Semporna, Malaysia.

The Sulu Provincial Police Office reported Yusuf was rescued around 8 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Bual, Luuk, Sulu.

Police said Yusuf escaped in Bud (Mount) Bawis, Panamao and ran towards a residential area in Bual, Luuk.

Police said intelligence personnel of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 (MBLT-1) rescued Yusuf and brought him to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Barangay Busbus, Jolo, Sulu.

Besana said Yusuf will be taken to the Westmincom headquarters and to be turned over to Indonesian authorities.

Saguni is still being held by the Abu Sayyaf, making the total number of hostages being held by the armed group at six. DMS