MANILA — Military units attached to the Joint Task Force Sulu have rescued one of the men, who were kidnapped along with two female police officers near the Jolo Airport last April 29.
“At 2 p.m. on May 8, 2018, KV (kidnap victim) Blas Jackosalim Ahamad, a resident of Sitio Palar, Barangay Gandasuli, Patikul, Sulu was rescued by the troops of Marine Battalion Landing Team 3, led by Lt. Col. Ramil DC Holgado at Sitio Budjang, Barangay Libog Kabao, Panglima Estino, Sulu,” Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, JTF Sulu commander, said in a statement Wednesday.
Ahamad, Faizal Ahidji, PO2 Benierose Alvarez, and PO1 Dinah Gumahad were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) under sub-leader Almujer Yadah last April 29.
Sobejana said Ahamad underwent medical examination at the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista hospital before he was debriefed at the JTF Sulu headquarters in Busbus town, Sulu.
He said information given by Faizal Ahidji, who was released by his ASG captors in Sitio Daang Puti, Barangay Bangkal, Patikul, Sulu at about 7 p.m. Saturday, helped them rescue Ahamad.
“His (Ahidji’s) relatives brought him (to) the headquarters of JTF Sulu for documentation. As part of the procedure, he underwent medical examination. A custodial debriefing was subsequently conducted. The valuable information he shared to us led to the rescue of Blas Jackosalim Ahamad,” Sobejana said.
Efforts to rescue the remaining kidnap victims will continue, he said. (Priam Nepomuceno with reports from Ericka Cirera, OJT/PNA)
