3 Indonesians released in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY— Three Indonesian nationals were released by their Abu Sayyaf captors on Saturday afternoon  in Barangay Buanza in Indanan town, Sulu.

Colonel Gerry Besana, public affairs officer of the Western Mindanao Command, confirmed the release of three Indonesians but refused to give further details.

In a report secured by the Inquirer from the intelligence unit in Sulu, the release of three Indonesians in Buanza were facilitated by Joint Task Force Sulu Brig Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo and Senior Supt. Pablo Labra, provincial police director in Sulu.

Reports stated that said captives were originally freed to Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan and later turned over to Pabayo and Labra for debriefing and medical attention at Camp Baustista hospital in Jolo.

The identities of the three Indonesians were withheld, but they were handed over to authorities around 4:15 p.m. on September 15, 2018.

Based on Inquirer’s list of kidnapped victims, Indonesians Hamdam Salim, 34; Subandi Sattuh, 27;  and Sudarlan Samansung, 41; were kidnapped in Sabah waters in the early part of 2017.  /ee