ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government security forces rescued five Filipino fishing boat crew seized more than a month ago by Abu Sayyaf bandits in the province of Sulu, military officials announced Monday.
Rescued were Vergel Arquino, 25; Jushua Ybanez, 23; Emo Fausto, 63; Junald Minalang, 24; and, Spriano Sordido, 53, all crew of F/B Danvil 8 owned by Danvil Yanoc of Pagadian City.
All except Arquino, who is from Davao City, are residents of Pagadian City, the capital of Zamboanga del Sur.
They were rescued off Sugbay Island, Languyan, Tawi-Tawi around 1:30 p.m. Friday but the rescue was only made public on November 20.
Abu Sayyaf bandits seized the five crewmen on October 14 when they sought shelter in the coast of Barangay Simbahan, Pangutaran, Sulu due to bad weather.
Brig. Gen. Custodio Parcon, Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi commander, said they took the opportunity to rescue the victims after learning the Abu Sayyaf captors were on the run brought about by the continuous military operations against them in the province.
The rescued fishing boat crew underwent medical examination upon arrival at the Naval Forces Western Mindanao headquarters in this city. (PNA)
