ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -– The military is verifying a tip provided by a former Abu Sayyaf captive that kidnapped foreigners are being kept in the mountains of Sulu.
Ground forces are checking the information provided by Remegio Lingayan, said Capt. Ma. Rowena Muyuella, spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).
“The military is working on whatever valid information is provided or gathered on the ground for the safe recovery of the hostages,” she said.
She could not say whether the troops have sighted any of the hostages.
Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero earlier confirmed reports that two Germans kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf were sighted in Sulu. He did not give details except to say there are ongoing operations to rescue them.
Lingayan, 50, a construction foreman kidnapped on June 5, was freed on July 24 after payment of so-called “board and lodging” to his Abu Sayyaf captors in Indanan town.
When presented to reporters in this city, Lingayan said he was with Stefan Viktor Okonek, 74, and Henrite Dielen, 42, who were seized in April from their yacht in Rio Tubattaha off Palawan.
He said he also saw Dutchman Elwold Horn and Swiss Lorenzo Vinceguerre and Filipino-Chinese mother and daughter Dina Lim and Yahong Lim Tan.
“We were separated from five others and I went with the German couple,” Lingayan said.
He said he they were moved around by the Abu Sayyaf to elude pursuing government forces.