Indonesian authorities identify kidnap victim found dead in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY,  Zamboanga del Sur –– Indonesian authorities and immediate family members have identified a dead man found in Sulu on Tuesday, Sept. 29, as one of those kidnapped in Lahad Datu, Malaysia last January.

Indonesian army and police attachés identified the body last Sept. 30, said Lieutenant Colonel Rolando Mateo, spokesperson of the Joint Task Force Sulu.

“The Indonesian authorities as well as the family confirmed his identity,” said Mateo.

Mateo identified the kidnap victim as La Aba, 35, one of the eight Indonesians snatched in the waters off Lahad Datu last Jan. 15. Three of his companions have been released and five were taken to Sulu.

Mateo disclosed that Aba’s body had no gunshot wound. His only injury was a bruise in the head. Authorities are still determining the cause of his death.

Mateo added that there have been no reports yet of the fate of Aba’s four other companions.

Aba was found by soldiers in Maligay village of Patikul town last Tuesday after a 50-minute gunfight with bandits, said Lieutenant Colonel Ruben Guinolbay, commanding officer of the Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion.

Guinolbay said Aba’s body was recovered some 300 meters from the site of the armed encounter.

LZB