2 Pinoys held by Abu Sayyaf rescued, but 3 Indonesians abducted

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Military authorities on Friday said soldiers had rescued two Filipino kidnap victims held by Abu Sayyaf bandits on Thursday.

But the good news was overshadowed when Western Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. also reported that three Indonesians had been abducted on the same day off Sulu.

The Indonesians were among the six crew of a Sandakan-registered fishing vessel who were initially reported  missing after an attack by armed men in the sea borders of the Philippines and Malaysia.

The three were identified as Hamdan Bin Salim, Subandu Bin Sattu and Sudarling Samansung based on the list provided by the Indonesian Police Attaché, according to Lt. Colonel Raphael Alano, the acting  Westmincom spokesperson.

Galvez said those rescued on Thursday were Esteban Janamjam, 49, of General Santos City; and Dulce Almers, 50, of Apo Beach in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur.

“They were rescued in Indanan, Sulu. They were in captivity for two months,” Galvez said.

He said Janamjam and Almers were abducted on Oct.  26 while fishing off Pangutaran Island in Sulu. —JULIE ALIPALA