APD | Two Indonesian fishermen rescued from Abu Sayyaf Group

**By APD writer **Melo M. Acuña

Soldiers from the 4th Marine Battalion fought with Abu Sayyaf extremists in a village in Panamao town in Sulu Province early this morning.

In a report from the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) in Zamboanga City, the soldiers rescued Maharudin Bin Lunani and Samiun Bin Maneu, two of three fishermen who were kidnapped in the seawaters off Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia last September 23,2019.

A member of the Abu Sayyaf Group identified as Hairula Itum was killed in the firefight.

“We will continue to pursue and neutralize militants with our deliberate operations to rescue captives and thwart their hostile plans,” said Lt. General Cirilito Sobejana, AFP Western Mindanao Command chief.

He expressed optimism they would be able to rescue the remaining hostages, believed to be five individuals including three Filipinos, a Vietnamese and another Indonesian.

A soldier died during the encounter while another was wounded in the 25-minute firefight. The military recovered the remains of one ASG member and several high-powered weapons.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)