KOTA KINABALU – The Philippine armed forces have rescued the last of the five hostages kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf group in Tawi-Tawi, Philippines today.
The victim – identified as Mohd Khairuldin, 15 – was rescued in Kalupah Island, Languyan, Tawi-Tawi at 6.30am.
Khairuldin is one of five Indonesian crew members who were abducted in the waters off Tambisan, Lahad Datu on January 17, 2020.
He was rescued three days after three other hostages – Arizal Kasta Miran, 30; Arsad Dahlan, 41; and Andi Riswanto Hayano, 26 – were found by the armed forces.
The three hostages were rescued when their boat capsized in Pasigan Laut, south Ubian, near Tawi-Tawi around 5.30pm Friday.
Four hostages are now safe and will be sent to their homes, while one hostage – identified as La Baa – was found dead on September 28, 2020 in Patikul, Sulu, Philippines.
“We are happy that all the hostages are safe now, and we are also able to neutralise the notorious Apo Mike and two of his comrades,” Lt Gen Corleto S. Vinluan Jr, commander of the Western Mindanao Command said on Philippine Army’s Western Mindanao Command’s Facebook page today.
Philippine security forces had gunned down Abu Sayyaf sub-commander Apo Mike at Barangay Kalupag Island at Languyan in Tawi-Tawi, close to Sabah, yesterday evening.
Apo Mike, whose real name is Majan Sahidjuan, is believed to be responsible for a spate of kidnappings in Sabah waters over the past years.
According to The Star, his death comes two days after Sabah’s remaining kidnap victims – three Indonesian fishermen – were rescued by Philippine security forces on March 18.
Philippine media had said prior to his death that Apo Mike was with his comrades and three Indonesian hostages snatched from Sabah in January last year, when they got into trouble because of faulty boats.
Apo Mike was marooned on the island after his boat capsized, while two of his comrades fled with the hostages in another vessel that later also sprung a leak.
One of the escaping Abu Sayyaf group members – Suhud Salasim, believed to be a foot soldier of Apo Mike – was arrested while the hostages were rescued.
Troops of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-6 under Lt Col Venjie Pendon responded to a distress call over the presence of suspicious armed men on Barangay Kalupag Island.
Vinluan said the men opened fire at security forces when they approached the island.
A firefight ensued, Pendon said, in which the Abu Sayyaf man was severely injured.
“He was abandoned by his two comrades who fled bringing along the remaining Indonesian kidnap victim with them.
“He was severely wounded during the encounter last night. We tried to save him, but his gunshot wounds were fatal,” Pendon said.
On Friday, three Indonesians kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf gunmen more than a year ago have been rescued. – The Vibes, March 21, 2021
