The military turns over four rescued Indonesian kidnap victims to their embassy officials days after they were saved from captivity by Abu Sayyaf in Tawi-Tawi province. AFP PAO
MANILA, Philippines—The military on Tuesday (March 23) turned over four rescued Indonesian kidnap victims to their embassy officials days after they were saved from captivity by Abu Sayyaf in Tawi-Tawi province.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana and Philippine National Police officer in charge Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar led the ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo for the turnover of the Indonesian nationals.
The Indonesian Embassy, led by Charge d’affaires Widya Rahmanto, received the kidnap victims. Also present were Indonesian Defense Attaché Col. Reza Suud and Army Attaché Col. Sigit Himawan, the AFP said.
The four Indonesians—Riswanto Bin Hayono, Arical Kastamiran, Arsyad Bin Dahalan, and Khairuldin Bin Yai Kii—were flown to Manila from Zamboanga City on Sunday (March 21) by the Philippine Air Force.
All four were kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf Group in 2020. Hayono, Kastamiran and Dahalan were rescued in South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi on Thursday last week by Tandubas Police. The 15-year old Yai Kii was rescued by members of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi on Sunday in Kalupag Island, Languyan, Tawi-Tawi, the AFP said.
“On behalf of the government of Indonesia, we are forever grateful for the support and immediate actions to save the victims,” the Indonesian charge d’ affaires was quoted as saying.