The Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) has confirmed that two Filipino kidnap victims of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were released early Thursday morning in Sulu province.
In a statement, acting Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Col. Franco Alano said the hostages were released around 3 a.m. in the town of Indanan, which he notes was a result of the AFP’s intensified operations against the terror group.
“Ang assessment, dahil intensified yung operations namin dun ngayon, and dinagdagan pa ang puwersa dun so that is the most probable cause ng release sa Indanan,” Alano said.
Meanwhile, a military report from Joint Task Force Sulu identified the kidnap victims as Dolcesimo Almires and Esteban Janamjam from Barangay Tagbak in Talipao town.
Based on initial information, Almires and Janamjam were abducted in October 25, 2016 off the waters of Pangutaran town and were held by the group of ASG leader Jaber Susukan in Barangay Lumapid in Talipao.
The report said the kidnap victims were told by two ASG members to go to the town of Parang, where they were picked up by members of Joint Task Force Sulu.
The victims were later brought to a military camp in Jolo where they underwent medical check-ups and debriefing.
Alano said Wesmincom expects the release of more ASG kidnap victims in the coming days now that intensified operations against the terror group has become “national priority.”
Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana earlier said the AFP intends to defeat local terrorist groups – the Abu Sayyaf, Maute Group, and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters – within the next six months.
Before the release of the Filipino kidnap victims, suspected ASG members released two Indonesian hostages held captive in Sulu last month. [source]