Former mayor’s ex-wife, daughter rescued from Abu Sayyaf

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Government security forces have rescued the former wife and daughter of ex-Talipao mayor Tambrin Tulawie from their kidnappers.

Edelyn, 27, and her mother Addang, 67, were abandoned by their captors at the border of Barangays Sinumaan and Kagay at about 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Chief Inspector Napoleon Lango, Talipao police commander, said yesterday. 

The victims were sleeping at their house in Barangay Kandaga about 2 a.m. also on Wednesday when they were snatched by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits. 

Lango said personnel of the Talipao police, 2nd Special Forces Battalion and Barangay Peace Action Team launched rescue operations after incumbent Talipao Mayor Nebukadnezzar Tulawie, a son of Tambrin, informed them on the presence of armed men in the area. 

The victims underwent medical checkup before they were brought to the house of the incumbent mayor.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding three Indonesians, a Dutch man, a Vietnamese and four Filipinos.

Basilan clash

Meanwhile, an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf bandits were reportedly killed in an encounter with government troopers in Sumisip, Basilan yesterday.

Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said soldiers of the 64th Infantry Battalion clashed with the bandits in Barangay Pamatsaken at around 5 a.m.

”There was no reported casualty among government forces... but there were Abu Sayyaf members killed or wounded,” Besana said.

He said an M16 rifle, bullets, a rifle grenade and a handheld radio were recovered at the scene.