DUTERTE RESCUED AFTER OVER A YEAR OF ABU SAYAF CAPTIVITY

PAGADIAN CITY (Nov. 2, 2018) - Kidnap victim Jose Duterte was finally rescued by elements of the Marine Base Landing Team 3 and the intelligence operatives under the Philippine Marine Ready Force (PMRF) - Sulu around 1:30pm yesterday (1 November 2018) in Barangay Kandayok, Panamao, Sulu after over a year in captivity of the Abu Sayaf, military official said.

LTC Gerry M. Besana, WesMinCom spokesperson disclosed that Duterte, 66 years old, was abducted by armed men at their residence in Sitio Tabuk, Barangay Sta. Maria, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte last March 3, 2017.

Besana said that the intensified operations of the PMRF troops, under the Joint Task Force Sulu, gave Duterte the opportunity to be extricated from his captors.

 He was immediately brought to Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Sulu for medical check-up and custodial debriefing., Besana added.

Besana also said that intelligence reports stated that Duterte was subsequently held captive under the ASG sub leader Injam Yadah.

 “The relentless effort of our troops to exert more pressure through focused military operations gives the ASG no other recourse but to surrender and for us to be able to rescue their captives,” Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Commander of Western Mindanao Command said during the formal turn-over of the kidnap victim to Siocon Vice Mayor Nathaniel Susin at the Naval Forces Western Mindanao Headquarters inside Camp Navarro around 3pm today.

"The positive intelligence build-up, close monitoring, and constant pressure against the ASG led to the safe rescue of Duterte.

This operational accomplishment is attributed to our soldiers on the ground and with the cooperation of the local communities who made this possible," Lt. Gen. Dela Vega added. (By JONG CADION)