Troops rescue wife, 2 kids of Abu Sayyaf member

December 19, 2018

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Troops rescued three people, including two children, who were trapped during a recent firefight in Sulu, a military official said Wednesday.

Rear Admiral Rene Medina, Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) command chief, said rescued were Manah Solaiman, 27 and daughters Raiza, seven, and Pirhana, two. During debriefing the military found out her husband is Abu Sayyaf member Jackie Solaiman, Medina said.

Medina said they were rescued on Saturday in Minis Island, Patikul, Sulu, where a recent clash between the Marines and some 50 Abu Sayyaf  gunmen took place.

Seven Abu Sayyaf members and a soldier were killed while three soldiers were wounded in a firefight on December 12 when troops launched an amphibious operation in Minis Island, Patikul.

Medina said soldiers from the Naval Task Group Sulu and Philippine Marine Ready Force-Sulu were conducting clearing operation when they rescued Solaiman and her two daughters in the mangrove of Minis Island.

Medina said they were given food and water and brought to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for medical check-up and proper assistance.

He said Manah told them she and her two daughters were trapped when the firefight broke out on December 12, which prompted them to hide in the mangrove. DMS