Five (5) rescued kidnap victims handed over to the Local Government of Pagadian

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (November 23, 2017) - Commander, Western Mindanao Command Lt. Gen. Carlito G Galvez AFP with the Commander, Naval Forces Western Mindanao Rear Adm. Rene V Medina AFP presented the five rescued Filipino kidnap victims of the  Abu Sayyaf Group to the media during a press conference on Monday (Nov. 20) morning at HNFWM VIP Lounge, Calarian, Zamboanga City, military official said.

Present during the Press Conference were representatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Group Region IX (AKG-R9), the families of the rescued kidnap victims and other WMC and NFWM officials.

The five were rescued last Friday afternoon, Nov. 17, 2017 at the vicinity Northeast off Sugbay Island, Languyan, Tawi-Tawi. The successful rescue from their captors was due to the intensive search and rescue operations and continuous conduct of Focused Military Operation (FMO) by military troops of Western Mindanao in the area.

Commander, NFWM Rear Adm. Medina said that "the timing was critical since the captors may shoot the victims if they knew about the plan. We were able to lead them to safety through our contacts, thus this rescue."

Lt. Gen. Galvez commended the efforts made by the NavForWeM troops and the Joint Task Force TawiTawi under Brig. Gen. Parcon AFP for the successful rescue operation.

After the said press conference, the rescued fishermen were brought to Pagadian City for the handover to the local government.

Upon arrival in Pagadian City, the victims were received by the City Mayor, Hon. Romeo P Pulmones and other local government officials at 5 o'clock in the afternoon at the City Mayor's Office. The local government sent the fishermen to the DSWD to undergo debriefing and stress management process prior their return to their families.

The City Mayor, Hon. Pulmones and other LGU officials were very thankful for the rescue of their constituents after more than a month of abduction and distress from the hands of ASG/KFRG.

Just recently (Nov. 11), same operating elements of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao and Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi rescued four Vietnamese crew members of MV Giang Hai 5. They were held captive by the ASG for nine months and were rescued in the area of Kang Tipayan, Languyan, Tawi-Tawi. On Monday [Nov. 13], the rescued Vietnamese were reunited in Vietnam with their respective families.

The continuous conduct of Focused Military Operations in the areas of Western Mindanao led to the rescue of Filipino and foreign nationals held captive by the ASG/KFRG and other unidentified armed groups during the past months.

The Navy and the Armed Forces in Western Mindanao assure the public of the continuous and relentless conduct of in-depth patrol and operations in pursuit of lasting peace and security in the region.