Indon crewman recovered in Sulu

One of four missing Indonesian tugboat crewmen abducted at sea by suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists last Monday was found yesterday in a remote town in Sulu, the military said.

Maj. Gen. Ernesto Carolina, chief of the military’s Southern Command, said second officer Ferdinan Joel was recovered by residents of a village near the town of Luuk. He was turned over to the mayor, who passed him on to the military.

It was unclear in what condition Joel was found. The whereabouts of his three compatriots also remained unknown, military spokesman Col. Romeo Tolentino said.

After being informed of the recovery, President Arroyo said she would "reward" Luuk’s townspeople for their help. Mrs. Arroyo gave no details.

Carolina said it could not be immediately determined if the Abu Sayyaf extremist rebels were responsible for the abduction. Joel was immediately brought to military headquarters where he was questioned.

Troops in Sulu continued the search yesterday for the three Indonesians still missing.

Regional Navy chief Commodore Ernesto de Leon said Navy vessels are patrolling Sulu’s waters and those of nearby islands in search for the victims.

The four were reported to have been abducted by armed men who boarded the tugboat towing the Indonesian-flagged barge Labroy 179 near the island of Basilan, the Abu Sayyaf’s main base.

Six other crewmen were left behind and the tugboat and the barge were escorted to a naval wharf in Zamboanga City.

Officials said the crewmen were due to be questioned by authorities and an Indonesian diplomat yesterday.

"They will undergo interrogation, with the Indonesian consul hopefully present," said retired Maj. Gen. Melchor Rosales, Department of Defense spokesman. "We will have to determine first what really happened."

The Indonesian embassy in Manila has issued a note verbale expressing concern over the incident, said press attache Andang Ramana Sosodoro.

"We just expressed concerns and asked the Philippine government to give full attention to solve our problem," Sosodoro said.

Indonesian Consul General Johannes Pangestu said Jakarta will not issue a travel advisory against the Philippine despite the incident.

"It’s not our practice to issue travel advisories because we believe that the host government can take care of the peace and order situation," Pangestu said.

Indonesian Vice Consul Johanes Manginsela said Indonesia is "maintaining a close coordination with the Philippine military on the matter."

Investigators have yet to establish whether the case was one of piracy, a kidnapping by Abu Sayyaf bandits or other armed groups, or something else, said regional Navy chief Commodore Ernesto de Leon.

The six crewmen have already told authorities that three speedboats carrying 11 armed men intercepted the barge and tugboat off Tamuk island, south of Basilan. The area is pirate-infested.

The gunmen then took their four officers – skipper Muntu Jacobos Winowatan, the chief officer known only as Julkipli, and chief engineer Pieter Lerreck. The barge was delivering coal from Indonesia to a power plant in Cebu.

"Until we get direct information of a demand or a group really owning [responsibility] that they kidnapped the victims and [are demanding] ransom, then we will say they were kidnapped," Carolina said. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident.

Asked if the Abu Sayyaf could have been involved, Rosales said, "Anything is possible, but they are fleeing government forces and are under pressure," making it more difficult for the group to stage another abduction.

The bandits have been on the run since they lost their three hostages two weeks ago in a military rescue operation. American missionary Gracia Burnham was rescued. Her husband Martin, however, and a Filipina nurse, Edibora Yap, were killed.

Carolina said the Abu Sayyaf, who are known for carrying seaborne raids, may have been involved. He said the abduction may have been meant to divert the military’s attention on their comrades who are under intensified military assault in Zamboanga del Norte.

Meanwhile, troops clashed with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Indanan, a remote village in Sulu yesterday morning, Carolina said. Troops of the 4th Infantry Battalion were on patrol when they chanced upon 40 bandits.

Carolina said they believe the group was under the command of Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot, and Mujib Susukan. The bandits fled after sustaining an undetermined number of casualties in the 20-minute gunbattle. — With AFP, Delon Porcalla, Marichu Villanueva