An Indonesian held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf Group was rescued in Sulu last Tuesday after four months in captivity, the military said Wednesday.
Indonesian hostage Juragan Kapal Samsul Saguni was rescued through the efforts of former Sulu Gov. Abdul Sakur Tan and soldiers of the Army 41st Infantry Battalion, 5th Infantry Division, and the 11th Infantry Division.
Saguni was taken to the residence of Tan in Poblacion, Maimbung, Sulu at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Saguni was kidnapped on Sept. 11, 2018 by the Abu Sayyaf along with Usman Yunos. They were aboard a Malaysian fishing and trawler vessel in the waters off Semporna, Sabah when they were seized.
Yunos, 35, was rescued by troops of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 3, Philippine Marine Ready Force Sulu and the Sulu Provincial Police Office.
Soldiers of the Joint Task Force Sulu facilitated the custodial debriefing of Saguni at the JTF Sulu headquarters in Barangay Bus-bus, Jolo, Sulu.
The victim underwent a medical check-up at Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Hospital in Barangay Bus-bus.
According to JTF Sulu Commander Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo Jr., the medical results showed that the victim is physically healthy.
Saguni was brought to the headquarters of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City yesterday where he was debriefed and underwent medical check-up.
Pabayo said the Abu Sayyaf still holds five foreigners and three Filipinos in captivity in the hinterlands of Sulu. (Francis T. Wakefield)