Marines, cops rescue 2 abducted Basilan fishers
07/16/2009 | 10:35 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Government security forces in the southern province of Basilan rescued early Thursday morning two fishermen seized by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits more than three months ago.
Senior Superintendent Abubakar Tulawi of the Basilan police district said the two fishermen were rescued 5:35 a.m. at Sitio Bohebessey in Brgy. Semut, Akbar town in Basilan.
Tulawi said intelligence reports led the Basilan police, the police's Regional Mobile Group 9, and the Marine Battalion Landing Team 7 to rescue the two fishermen, who were abducted in early April.
The rescued victims were identified as Ronnie Nabie and Renante Saquien of Tukuran town in Zamboanga del Sur.
There was a reported casualty on the Abu Sayyaf side during the operations although this has yet to be confirmed, Tulawi said.
No government casualties were reported in the operation, he added.
Basilan, along with Sulu province in southern Philippines, is a known stronghold of the al-Qeada-linked Abu Sayyaf.
Speculations about a possible amnesty for the extremist group surfaced early this week after Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Malacañang is willing to consider Senator Richard Gordon's proposal to grant amnesty to members of the Abu Sayyaf if it means achieving long-lasting peace in Mindanao.
The idea of granting amnesty for the bandit group, which was responsible for several abductions, beheadings, and other crimes in the past, was slammed by several key government officials, including members of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's own Cabinet.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who also rejected the amnesty proposal, said that as of the moment, the government's plan to crush the bandit group remains. - with reports from Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV
Senior Superintendent Abubakar Tulawi of the Basilan police district said the two fishermen were rescued 5:35 a.m. at Sitio Bohebessey in Brgy. Semut, Akbar town in Basilan.
Tulawi said intelligence reports led the Basilan police, the police's Regional Mobile Group 9, and the Marine Battalion Landing Team 7 to rescue the two fishermen, who were abducted in early April.
The rescued victims were identified as Ronnie Nabie and Renante Saquien of Tukuran town in Zamboanga del Sur.
There was a reported casualty on the Abu Sayyaf side during the operations although this has yet to be confirmed, Tulawi said.
No government casualties were reported in the operation, he added.
Basilan, along with Sulu province in southern Philippines, is a known stronghold of the al-Qeada-linked Abu Sayyaf.
Speculations about a possible amnesty for the extremist group surfaced early this week after Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Malacañang is willing to consider Senator Richard Gordon's proposal to grant amnesty to members of the Abu Sayyaf if it means achieving long-lasting peace in Mindanao.
The idea of granting amnesty for the bandit group, which was responsible for several abductions, beheadings, and other crimes in the past, was slammed by several key government officials, including members of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's own Cabinet.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who also rejected the amnesty proposal, said that as of the moment, the government's plan to crush the bandit group remains. - with reports from Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV
