Remaining Indonesian captive rescued in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – An Indonesian fisherman kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf bandits last September was rescued in Indanan, Sulu on Wednesday.

Muhammad Farhan, 27, was rescued in Barangay Bato-Bato before 7 p.m., according to Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command chief. 

“Our ground troops have succeeded in rescuing all remaining captives of the Abu Sayyaf,” Sobejana said.

He said the bandits abandoned Farhan when they sensed that soldiers were closing in on them. 

Farhan, his father Maharudin bin Lunani, 48, and Samiun bin Maneu, 26, were snatched from a fishing vessel off Lahad Datu in Sabah. Lunani and Maneu were rescued in Panamao on Dec. 22. 

Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said Farhan was brought to a hospital at Camp Gen. Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Bus-bus, Jolo for medical checkup. 

Farhan, who looked haggard, was later airlifted to the Camp Navarro General Hospital at the Westmincom headquarters in this city. 

His companions had earlier said their captors did not harm them but fed them only twice a day.