PCG mobilized after abduction of 2 personnel by Sayyaf

THE Philippine Coast Guard on Thursday said it is exhausting all possible efforts to rescue its personnel abducted by the Abu Sayyaf.

“Admiral Rodolfo Isorena has given instructions since day one to PCG Northern Mindanao district commander Commodore Ferdinand Velasco to exhaust possible efforts to rescue them,” PCG spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo said in a statement.

The Coast Guard personnel abducted last May from Dapitan City in Zamboanga were identified as Rod Pagaling and Gringo Villaluz.

A village captain identified as Rodolfo Baligao was also abducted along with the two coastguardsmen.

“He (Velasco) was also instructed to coordinate closely with our counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police. We are also giving updates to the families of the two PCG personnel,” Balilo said.

A video that circulated on Facebook showed the captives making an appeal to meet the demands of the bandit group, but did not say what these were.

A military source in Mindanao who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the captives were brought to Sulu.

They were being held by ASG leader Yasser Igasan and a certain “Susukan” and they were mobile, the source said.

The ASG were reportedly asking for P1 million per head, the source added.