2 Coast Guard personnel flee Abu captors

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Government troops rescued Thursday morning the two Philippine Coast Guard personnel held captive by the Abu Sayyaf group during the offensive operation in the mountain of Indanan town, Sulu, security officials said.

Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, commander of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said captives Coast Guard personnel Seaman 2nd Class Gringo Villaruz and Seaman 1st Class Rod Pagaling were rescued one after another.

“The two were able to escape during heavy firefight yesterday at about 5:30 p.m. at Barangay Buanza, Indanan town, Sulu,” Guerrero told newsmen during the press briefing at Westmincom headquarters Thursday.

Villaruz was found at Buanza vicinity at around 7 a.m. He was escorted by the local officials to the military detachment of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 10 (MBLT).

Guerrero said Pagaling was later on seen around 8:30 a.m. along the road in Barangay Buanza after escaping the Abu Sayyaf group Wednesday afternoon.

He said the heavy firefight also resulted to heavy casualties on the Abu Sayyaf group, leaving 15 militants dead.

“We believed one of the sub-leaders was also killed. We are still identifying the bodies in the encounter area,” Guerrero said.

Guerrero said the rescued kidnap victims Villaruz sustained bruises in his body while Pagaling has none.

Before the two victims were able to escape, the troops apparently ambushed the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

“This gave them (captives) the break to escape from the group,” Guerrero said.

Pagaling reportedly fell in a cliff while escaping and was a bit tired but in good spirit when he was found Thursday morning.

The two were taken to the Kuta Heneral Bautista trauma hospital for check-up and initial tactical debriefing before being flown to Zamboanga City for processing.

Guerrero said the tactical information that will be provided by the two Coast Guard personnel will help the military rescue the rest of the kidnap victims.

Guerrero revealed that there were reports that other hostages also managed to escape.

“We are receiving reports but we have to confirm this that the other victims were able to escape from the group. But this is for further validation,” Guerrero said.

Meanwhile, government troops continued the operation to get the rest of the hostages held separately by the Abu Sayyaf group.

“This is a continuing effort. I hope the troops will be also successful in the recovery of other kidnap victims,” Guerrero said.

The military said that their primary consideration remained on the safety of the hostages during the rescue operation.

Guerrero said the unit of Joint Task Group Sulu commander Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado was building up information on different groups holding the remaining hostages.

Guerrero also recognized the possible danger the remaining captives are facing following the successful rescue of the two Coast Guard personnel.

“There is always a possibility (danger) but we will not stand down, we will not relent in our operations so that we will be able to finally recover the other victims,” according to Guerrero.

The Westmincom chief lauded the military units under Arrojado for their successful rescue and offensive operation against the Abu Sayyaf group.