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Three captives escape from Abu Sayyaf
 [Inquirer] Three of four residents of Zamboanga City kidnapped by THE Abu Sayyaf escaped on Thursday hours after the group threatened to behead them if a P3 million ransom was not delivered.the three captives — Jayson Pon Baylosis, Joel De Mesa Adanza and Filemon Francisco Guerrero Jr. — were spotted by residents of Kagay, a village in Talipao town, Sulu, where they were taken by the Abu Sayyaf. A fourth captive, Edmundo Ramos, was still in the hands of the rebels. The four, all construction workers and residents of Tumaga village, were snatched on July 16 by Abu Sayyaf while on the job in Patikul town. The kidnappings took place ten hours before President Duterte came to visit Sulu. Military spokesman Cirilito Sobejana said the three escaped captives took advantage of the military operations against their captors, led by a certain Almujer Yadah. Sobejana said the victims and their captors were forced to move by the military operations “away from Abu Sayyaf stronghold where they do not get any community support anymore.” “We lost two brave Marines in trying to rescue them,” said Rear Admiral Rene Medina on the phone referring to the military operations to rescue the four hostages. Troops on a mission to rescue the four clashed with Abu Sayyaf members in Sulu, leaving two soldiers and five Abu Sayyaf members dead. Sobejana said the three captives found a chance to escape on Thursday afternoon while their captors were in the middle of their afternoon prayers. They ran until they reached the village of Kagay where they were helped by residents and turned over to authorities. On Wednesday, a Facebook page named “Striking Group” being used by Abu Sayyaf, posted a photo of the captives kneeling while their captors stood behind them bearing automatic rifles. Abu Sayyaf repeated its demand for ransom in the post. Posted by: ryuge 2017-08-13 |
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