Joint AFP-PNP troops rescue abducted family from Sirawai

Six members of the Javier Family were rescue by the joint AFP-PNP 
troops in Talipao, Sulu (Photo provided by WesMinCom PIO)

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (July 19, 2018) - The combined elements of the AFP and PNP led to the rescue of the six members of the Javier Family from Sirawai municipality of the neighboring province of Zamboanga del Norte at around 11pm Tuesday at Sitio Tibangaw, Barangay Gata, Talipao, Sulu, Military Official said.

        LTC Gerry M. Besana, WesMinCom spokesperson identified the victims as Feliciano, 30 years old, Elsa, 30, Junior,22, Rica ,22, Val, 22, and 6 months old Vincent all residents of Sitio Maasom, Barangay San Nicolas, Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte. They were abducted at their residence by the alleged Kidnap for Ransom Group (KFRG) led by a certain Jamilo Wahab last June 28, 2018.

        LTC Besaana disclosed that the rescue operations was conducted in support to the Law Enforcement Operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP) was successfully undertaken by the combined elements of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 led by Lieutenant Colonel Ramil Holgado under the Joint Task Force Sulu led by Brigadier General Devino Rey Pabayo with support from the intelligence operatives of the Philippine Navy.

        The rescued victims were immediately brought to the Luuk District Hospital in Sulu for medical checkup and proper documentation, LTC Besana said.

        "We are glad to hear this good news for the victims' families. Right now, we await for the results of the investigation by the PNP and intelligence community to determine the real motive for the Javier family’s abduction. I have also ordered for the sustained crackdown on all KFRGs, in support to the PNP, because it is our commitment to protect the people in our joint area of operations against these lawless elements,” LtGen Arneldela Vega also said.

         LTC Besana added that at around 3:30pm Wednesday, the rescued hostages were turned over to the Vice Mayor of Sirawai at the Headquarters, Naval Forces Western Mindanao in the presence of the PNP-ATG and other witnesses.