ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government forces have rescued an Indonesian captive of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu in the continuing assault against the notorious extremist group that left at least seven bandits dead on Friday alone, the military said yesterday.
Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command, said the rescue operation in the waters of Simisa Island in Banguingui, Sulu, also resulted in the death of another Indonesian captive at around 6 p.m. Friday.
“The rescued kidnap victim was identified as Heri Ardiansyah while the dead kidnap victim was identified as Hariadin, both Indonesians. Accordingly, Hariadin died due to drowning,” said Besana.
The gun battle, according to Besana, left three ASG fighters dead following the firefight that lasted for at least 10 minutes.
He said the clash erupted when the three ASG fighters were seen swimming across the channel towards Bangalao Island to escape the Marine commandos and other soldiers who were earlier chasing them.
The three bandits were seen swimming with the two Indonesian captives by soldiers conducting sea patrol. They pursued the Abu Sayyaf men and engaged them in Simisa Island.
Recovered in the area were two M14 rifles, two M16 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, and several bullets.
“Pursuit operations are on-going to neutralize the remaining ASG members still trapped in Simisa Island,” said Besana. (Nonoy Lacson and Aaron Recuenco)
