FIVE FILIPINO fishing boat crew members, who were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf group on Oct. 14, were rescued last Friday, Nov. 17, by military forces off Sugbay Island in Taw-Tawi. The five, presented to the media yesterday in Zamboanga City, were onboard the boat Danvil 8 when they were taken near the coastal area of Poblacion Simbahan, Pangutaran, Sulu. “The successful rescue was made possible due to the loose security of the captors,” Brigadier General Custodio Parcon, Jr., commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Tawi-Tawi, said in a statement. The rescue operation was carried out by troops of JTF Tawi-Tawi and the Naval Task Group of the Naval Forces-Western Mindanao Command (NavForWem). Rear Admiral Rene V. Medina, NavForWem chief, said they found the opportunity to rescue the victims after learning that the captors were confused and on the run due to the continuing conduct of focused military operations in the area. “The timing was critical since the captors may shoot the victims if they will know about the plan,” said Mr. Medina. Earlier this month, the military also rescued three Vietnamese fishermen kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf. — Albert F. Arcilla

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