Kidnapped boat captain, engineer rescued in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – Government troops have rescued the boat captain and chief engineer who were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf, the military said.

Joint Task Force Basilan under Colonel Juvymax Uy, with joint elements of the Naval-Intelligence Special Group-Western Mindanao, rescued kidnap victim Aurelio Agacac in waters off Barangay Basakan, Hadji Mohammed Ajul town in Basilan at 5:30 am on Saturday, March 25.

Chief Engineer Laurencio Tiro was rescued along the shoreline of the same area on Monday, March 27.

The Abu Sayyad  kidnapped Agacac and Tiro from the  MV Super Shuttle Roro 9 on Thursday, March 23. They were two of the 11 crewmen of a tugboat transitting the Basilan Strait. It was pulling a roll on-roll off shuttle from Cebu going to General Santos when the incident happened.

Agacac and Tiro were  brought to Camp Navarro General Hospital for medical check-up after their rescue.

“The rescue of Aurelio Agacac is a result of a combined effort of the troops, the PNP, BPATs, CVOs, local government and the community,” said Major General Carlito Galvez, Jr, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) based in Zamboanga City.

“We acknowledge the growing awareness and support of the people in this fight against the Abu Sayyaf. Due recognition is also given to Governor [Jim Saliman] Hataman of Basilan for his unrelenting efforts to rescue the sailor,” Galvez added. – Rappler.com