Soldiers mount rescue for 3 fishers held by Abu Sayyaf

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The military has mounted a rescue operation for three crewmen of a fishing boat of a sardines company held by the Abu Sayyaf in the mountains of Sulu.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Tanalgo, commander of the newly formed Sulu Island Command, said three of the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers were killed and at least 10 others were believed wounded during an encounter in a village in Patikul, Sulu Wednesday.

Elements of the Marine Landing Team 5 launched the rescue operation based on information that the Abu Sayyaf group led by sub-leader Jamiri Jawong Jawari was in the area.

Tanalgo said the kidnappers managed to escape carrying those killed and wounded after almost an hour of firefight that began at around 6:10 a.m. Wednesday. 

Soldiers found in the kidnappers’ withdrawal route a seaman’s book under the name of Renato Panisales and other credentials.

Panisales, captain of the fishing boat, was taken hostage by the Abu Sayyaf last March 19 along with assistant engineer Wennie Ferrer and quarter master Jonald Ocsimar, all employees of Mega Fishing Co. based in this port city.

“We believe that the group that our forces encountered was the one holding the fishing boat’s three crewmen captive,” Tanalgo said. – With Rose Tamayo-Tesoro