2 more Abu Sayyaf captives walk free

Levy Gonzales and Daniela Taruc (R) . PHOTOS COURTESY OF WESTMINCOM

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Two Filipino captives of the Abu Sayyaf walked free on Sunday night amid massive military operations against the bandit group in Sulu.

Lieutenant General Mayoralgo dela Cruz, chief of Western Mindanao Command, told the Inquirer Sunday night that more hostages were expected to be freed because of the relentless operation in areas with reported presence of Abu Sayyaf.

“We are not stopping until they are destroyed. We have a strong mandate to destroy these bandits, and more hostages are released,” Dela Cruz said.

Major Filemon Tan Jr., spokesperson of Western Mindanao Command, said sustained military operations led to the freeing of Daniela Taruc and Levy Gonzales in Panglima Estino town in Sulu at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

The two walked free after a Norwegian and three Indonesians were released.

The victims, subcontractors of a Telecom company who were kidnapped in Patikul town on August 6, were recovered by a resident, Tan said.

Taruc and Gonzales were brought to a military hospital in Bus-bus village in Jolo.

On Saturday, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad was freed after an alleged ransom of P30 million delivered to the Abu Sayyaf.

Before Saturday midnight, three Indonesian fishermen — Lorence Koten, Teo Doros Kofong and Emmanuel Arakian — were freed after reportedly paying P10 million in ransom.