ZAMBOANGA CITY--Philippine National Police (PNP) anti-kidnapping operatives backed by Marine troopers rescued two Zambosur fishermen from their captors, Thursday, in Basilan.
Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO)-West Chief Director Felizardo Serapio identified the rescued fishermen as Renante Sequien, a resident of Tukuran, and Ronnie Nabie, of Sto. Nino, Pagadian City.
Both were fishing off Sibago Island in Tuburan, Basilan, April 4, when rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels attacked their trawler, killed three of its crew, and seized the two after they failed to pay protection money.
Policemen then launched the rescue operation for the two fishermen following a tip that the victims were kept in Sitio Bohe Bessey in Brgy. Semut.
A firefight ensued between the kidnappers and the policemen who swooped down on the kidnappers’ lair. The gunmen escaped and there were no reports of casualties.
Serapio said the kidnappers fled after seeing the policemen were backed up by Marine Battalion Landing Team-7.
He added that the kidnappers were led by a certain Kumander Uzzi Hasim, a group that has ties with another rogue MILF leader named Usman Lidjal.
The two rescued fishermen are now at Camp Navarro General Hospital at the Western Mindanao Command headquarters for medical treatment and debriefing, a military spokeswoman said.
As this developed, both Gov. Aurora Cerilles and PNP Prov. Dir. Ramon Ochotorena commended the authorities for the safe rescue of the fishermen.
Meanwhile, policemen have intensified their search also for the three other missing fishermen earlier abducted last July 6 in Landang Laum on Sacol Island, this city.
The missing fishermen were identified as Jesus Alfonso, Edgar Barrera and July Gapol.
Up to this date, alleged Abu Sayyaf kidnappers are still holding three teachers seized also in March from Bangkaw-Bangkaw Elementary School in Zamboanga Sibugay. A P10 million ransom has been demanded for the release of the teachers.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA
Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO)-West Chief Director Felizardo Serapio identified the rescued fishermen as Renante Sequien, a resident of Tukuran, and Ronnie Nabie, of Sto. Nino, Pagadian City.
Both were fishing off Sibago Island in Tuburan, Basilan, April 4, when rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels attacked their trawler, killed three of its crew, and seized the two after they failed to pay protection money.
Policemen then launched the rescue operation for the two fishermen following a tip that the victims were kept in Sitio Bohe Bessey in Brgy. Semut.
A firefight ensued between the kidnappers and the policemen who swooped down on the kidnappers’ lair. The gunmen escaped and there were no reports of casualties.
Serapio said the kidnappers fled after seeing the policemen were backed up by Marine Battalion Landing Team-7.
He added that the kidnappers were led by a certain Kumander Uzzi Hasim, a group that has ties with another rogue MILF leader named Usman Lidjal.
The two rescued fishermen are now at Camp Navarro General Hospital at the Western Mindanao Command headquarters for medical treatment and debriefing, a military spokeswoman said.
As this developed, both Gov. Aurora Cerilles and PNP Prov. Dir. Ramon Ochotorena commended the authorities for the safe rescue of the fishermen.
Meanwhile, policemen have intensified their search also for the three other missing fishermen earlier abducted last July 6 in Landang Laum on Sacol Island, this city.
The missing fishermen were identified as Jesus Alfonso, Edgar Barrera and July Gapol.
Up to this date, alleged Abu Sayyaf kidnappers are still holding three teachers seized also in March from Bangkaw-Bangkaw Elementary School in Zamboanga Sibugay. A P10 million ransom has been demanded for the release of the teachers.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA