MANILA, Philippines - Marines have launched efforts to rescue the five-year-old boy who was abducted by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in Lamitan, Basilan the other day, a military spokesman said yesterday.
Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, Armed Forces’ spokesman, said they are now concentrating on safely recovering the new hostage, as well as other kidnap victims of the bandit group.
“The pursuit operations have been launched by the First Marine Brigade with the objective of recovering the young boy and other remaining hostages of the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan,” he said.
Investigation showed that the boy was on his way home, along with his 10-year-old brother, when two armed men on a motorcycle seized him at around 7 p.m. Monday.
The military believes that the Abu Sayyaf and rogue members of the Moro Islamic Liberation seized the boy to stall the military offensive against them. – James Mananghaya, Roel Pareño