Military rescues kidnapped Indon fisherman; another drowns in Sulu

April 7, 2019

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has rescued an Indonesian fisherman while another drowned during his attempt to escape from his Abu Sayyaf captors in a firefight in Sulu province, an official said.

Three Abu Sayyaf bandits were also killed in the same incident on Friday afternoon.

Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo Jr., Joint task Force Sulu commander, identified the rescued victim as Heri Ardiansyah, 19, while his companion who drowned was identified as certain Hariadin, 45.

He said the two Indonesians tried to swim across the channel towards Banglao Island as the Marine forces and Abu Sayyaf bandits clashed in Simisa Island, Banguingui, Sulu.

Aside from the death of three Abu Sayyaf members, the government troops also recovered high-powered firearms.

The Abu Sayyaf seized the two victims, along with Jari Abdullah, on board a ship while fishing at Pegasus Reef, Kinabatangan, Malaysia on December 6 last year.

The troopers retrieved Abdullah on Thursday following a firefight in Barangay Bahkaan, Simisa Island in Banguingui. DMS