GOVERNMENT troops on Sunday rescued the three remaining Malaysian crewmen who were left behind by escaping Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Sulu, Captain Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, said on Monday.
She said Mohammad Jumadil Rahim, Mohammad Ridzuan Bin Ismail and Fandy Bin Bakran were rescued around 11:30 p.m. at the boundaries of Sitio Kasanyangan in Tuyang village in Talipao and Jinggan village in Panglima Estino.
On Thursday, their fellow crewmen Tayudin Anjut and Abdurahim Bin Sumas were rescued off Kalinggalang Caluang near Pata island in Sulu.
The military has recognized the support it has been receiving from different groups who continue to provide information on the movements of the terrorists.
Wesmincom chief Major General Carlito Galvez Jr. said he was confident more kidnap victims would be rescued soon.
“Our troops are doing the extra effort just to be able to rescue all the kidnap victims,” Galvez said.
“We consider this a success on a higher level since we were able to rescue the kidnap victims without firing a single shot. This indicates that the people are coming together to go against the bandits and no longer want them in their communities.
“We are again reiterating our call to all the peace-loving citizens of Western Mindanao to continue supporting us.”
The three Malaysians were brought to the Kuta Heneral Teodolfo Bautista Station Hospital in Bus-Bus village in Jolo for a medical checkup.
The five Malaysian crewmen of the T/B Serudung 3 were abducted on July 19, 2016, in Dent Haven in Tambisan, Lahad Datu in Sabah by the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Berham Lutian alias Vietnam.
