Family abducted in Zamboanga del Norte rescued in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Six members of the Javier family earlier abducted by kidnap-for-ransom group here were rescued Tuesday night in an undisclosed location in Talipao town, Sulu province.

“I leave it to Western Mindanao Command to release all the necessary information. What I was informed [is that] they are all okay,” Brigadier General Divino Rey Pabayo, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu said.

The freed captives includes Feliciano Javier, 30; Elsa Javier, 30; Junior Javier, 22; Rica Javier, 22; Val Javier, 22; and six-month old Vincent Javier.

Police earlier reported the Javiers, who live in Sitio Maasim in Barangay San Nicolas, Sirawai town, Zamboanga del Norte, missing after the kidnap-for-ransom group, identified with the Jamilo Wahab Group, reportedly abducted them on June 28 in Sirawai town.

The Javiers were rescued Tuesday night by the Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 (MBLT3) of the Philippine Marines.

Lieutenant Colonel Ramil Holgado, commander of MBLT3, brought the Javier family to Luuk District Hospital in Barangay Tubig Puti, in Luuk town for medical check up.

Five of the six rescued family members were placed under debriefing on Wednesday./lb