‘Lone Indon captive still alive’

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The lone Indonesian hostage left in the hands of Abu Sayyaf kidnappers is still alive, according to his two companions who were rescued last Sunday by the military.

Armed Forces Southern Command (Southcom) chief Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza said yesterday Erickson Hutagaol, 23, and Yamin Labaso, 28, both of whom are confined at the Southcom Hospital in this southern port city, have confirmed that it was the kidnap-for-ransom gang Abu Sayyaf under Murphy Ladja that was responsible for their abduction.

Ahmad Resmiyadi, the third Indonesian whom the military failed to rescue when soldiers raided the suspects’ hideout in Barangay Kapang in Indanan, Sulu early morning Sunday, was in good condition, both Hutagaol and Yamin confirmed.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudyuhono thanked President Arroyo for the rescue of the two Indonesians, his spokesman said.

Yudyuhono said the abduction "showed that Manila and Jakarta need to improve cooperation" in their joint war against terror and transnational crimes, said presidential spokesman Dino Padi Jadal from the Indonesian capital.

Yudyuhono had told Mrs. Arroyo in a telephone call that he was "very impressed" with Sunday’s Army rescue of Labaso and Hutagaol.

The two rescued crewmen were personally visited yesterday by Indonesian Ambassador Sanusi after a short briefing with Braganza to determine his compatriots’ conditions.

Braganza assured all efforts were being exerted for the safe recovery of Resmiyadi. — With AFP