Military targets to rescue three Indonesians from Abu Sayyaf at end of year

November 27, 2019

The military is targeting to rescue the Indonesian kidnap victims of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) by the end of the year.

"As much as possible we want to rescue them (three Indonesian fishermen) by the end of this year. We are doing our best on that," said Major Arvin Encinas, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command spokesman Tuesday.

"Actually the operation that we do continues....Our troops are still on the ground," he added.

Encinas said only three Indonesian fishermen remain in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers.

"Yes they are the only (kidnap victims) left," he said.

Encinas said  the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia Dicky Fabrian visited the Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Zamboanga City on Tuesday.

"Mr. Fabrian was accompanied by the Malaysian and Indonesian delegates of the 7th Trilateral Port Visit and Maritime Training Activities," he said.

"The 7th Trilateral Port Visit, hosted by the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, led by Rear Adm. Erick Kagaoan, will run from November 26-28, 2019," he added.

Encinas said during the visit, Fabrian paid a courtesy call to WestMinCom commander Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana.

He said Sobejana assures to Fabrian that the armed forces is doing its best to rescue the three Indonesian fishermen.

" Our commander give him an assurance that we are doing our best to rescue the three fishermen, and we have continuous effort on that," Encinas said. Robina Asido/DMS