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Manila Bulletin devider devider Military appeals to Muslim folk for help in recovering Abu hostages

Military appeals to Muslim folk for help in recovering Abu hostages

Published May 9, 2018 10:00 pm
By Francis T. Wakefield The commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Joint Task Fore (JTF) Sulu yesterday said the support of the local government units, the religious leaders, the Sultanate of Sulu, other stakeholders and the community as a whole, may help in their efforts of rescuing the other kidnap victims of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana made the statement following the release of a kidnap victim and the rescue of another the last several days. Sobejana said at 2 p.m. Tuesday, kidnap victim Blas Jackosalim Ahamad,  a resident of Sitio Palar, Brgy Gandasuli, Patikul, Sulu, was rescued by the troops  of Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) 3 led by Lt. Col. Ramil Holgado in Sitio Budjang, Barangay Libog Kabao, in Panglima Estino, Sulu. Ahamad is one of the four persons abducted last April 29, together with two female policemen by the an ASG faction led by Almujer Yadah. The other civilian abducted, Faizal Ahidji, was freed May 5 in Sitio Daang Puti, Barangay Bangkal in Patikul, Sulu. The bandit group continues to have in its custody PO2 Benierose Alvarez and PO1 Dinah Gumahad, both of the Zamboanga City Police. Sobejana said Ahamad is undergoing custodial debriefing at the JTF Sulu headquarters after going through a thorough medical examination at Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Busbus, Jolo, Sulu. "The valuable information (Ahidji) shared with us led to the rescue of Blas Jackosalim Ahamad. Efforts to rescue the remaining kidnap victims shall continue," Sobejana said.
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