2 fishers seized in Basilan released

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Fully armed gunmen freed safely its two remaining hostaged fishermen following a swap with three other civilians also abducted by other armed faction in Basilan, according to a crisis management official. 

Basilan vice Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakalahul said Umma and Hamja Tahil were freed without ransom in the village of Barangay Matata, Ungkaya Pukan after their abductors, led by Abdul Muid Hambali alias Puwi, agreed to a swap of three of his relatives who were also abducted Saturday.

“The remaining two fishermen were released following the mediation as the abductors agreed to a swap on three civilians who were also abducted,” Sakalahul said.

A separate group of gunmen abducted Saturday three civilians in a remote village of Tipo-Tipo town, Basilan in what authority believed to be a “tooth for a tooth” vendetta between feuding clans. 

Col. Nicano Dolojan, commander of the army Special Forces that composed the Special Operations Task Force-Basilan (SOTF-B), said the victims were on board a passenger jeepney plying the towns of Al-Barka to Lamitan was flagged down by the unidentified gunmen about 10:35 a.m. Saturday in the vicinity of Barangay Bohe Bessey, Tipo-Tipo town. 

The victims, who are all members of the Yakan tribe, were identified as Bontoy Ongke, Imomoh Danih, both residents of Barangay Magkawa, and Sarani Sialul of Barangay Kuhon, all in Al-Barka were reportedly relatives of Hambali.

Sakalahul said all the hostages from both sides have been released Saturday after they agreed for the swap.

“However, the council of elders and the local crisis management group continued the mediation to settle the feud between the warring clans,” Sakalahul said. 

A separate faction of kidnappers believed to be Abu Sayyaf militants have been holding captive elementary school principal Cecilia Sosas in Tuburan town area since she was abducted along with her head teacher, Marlyn Yacapin last Nov. 15 in Barangay Baas, Lamitan.

The other female victim is 60-year old retailer Rose Baranda who was taken Nov. 2 in Tumahubong, Sumisip town.