2 kidnap victims rescued in Sulu

By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – The combined elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Barangay authorities in Patikul, Sulu have rescued two kidnap victims recently.

In a press release, OIC Sulu Information Officer Sonny Y. Abing III revealed that the victims were rescued at around 6:45 a.m. last Nov. 29 in Sitio Buh, Barangay Sucuban, Omar, Sulu.

The victims were identified as Itih B. Patusa, 59, of Canelar Tambucho and Lindo Estrada, 50, of Sta. Catalina both from Zamboanga City.

The report said Patusa and Estrada, construction workers for a private contracting firm, were abducted last Sept. 23 in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi at around 10:30 p.m. while resting in their barracks.

"Kinuha kami sa aming barracks at sinakay sa bangka nagbiyahe kami ng isa at kalahating araw (we were taken from our barracks and sailed in a banca for about one and a half day)," Estrada told the authorities.

Sulu Governor Abdusakur A. Tan II commended Mayor Ferhana Mohammad of Omar municipality, Barangay Sucuban Chairman Antis A. Sabaddin, Barangay Tangkuan Chairman Rajaun Abun , Barangay Angilan Chairman Nundin Jana and Omar Police Chief Samidin Aldrin, whose  combined efforts led to the rescue of Patusa and Estrada.

"Ito ay isang malaking tagumpay para sa probinsiya. Isa itong magandang resulta kung tayong lahat ay nagkakaisa (This is a great victory for the province. This is the result when people are united)," Tan said during a meeting with rescued victims at the provincial capitol.

Col. Jose Joh Riel Cenabre, commander, 2nd Marine Brigade, said that this is the outcome of our Provincial Peace and Order Council meetings and the cooperation of the barangay leaders. 

The report further revealed that the victims were rescued through a blockade set up by authorities at Barangay Sucuban, Omar, Sulu. According to Estrada, their captors abandoned them when authorities are closing in on their position. 

"Nagpapasalamat po kami sa mga nagligtas sa amin, masaya kami at nailigtas kami (We are grateful to our rescuers, we are happy that we are safe)," a grateful Estrada and Patusa told their rescuers.

Panamao Mayor Gafur Abdurajak, Regional Reconciliation and Unification Council (RRUC) Commissioner Abdul Najar Abdul Jalal and other provincial, police and military officials expressed support to the ongoing involvement of communities in the campaign against criminality, looking forward to the same community cooperation in the future. 

Rescued victims were turned-over to the PNP for medical checkup and debriefing, afterwards they will be sent home to their respective families. (FPG/RVC/Sulu-PIO/PIA9-ZBST)