Army troops rescue road project engineer in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Elite Army troops rescued unharmed in Basilan yesterday an engineer who was seized last June 3 while working on a road project in the island province, the military said.

Capt. Lomil Prado, public affairs officer of the Joint Special Task Force-Basilan, said engineer Virgilio Fernandez, who is working for Mace Construction Co., was rescued by a joint team of Army Scout Rangers and Special Forces, backed by intelligence operatives, in Barangay Magkawa, Al-Barka town at around 9 a.m. yesterday.

Fernandez, together with his driver, had come from the road construction site and was on his way to Lamitan City onboard a mini truck when unidentified men riding on two motorcycles flagged him down and seized him.

But a provincial official expressed doubt if such a rescue operation took place, saying that kidnappers, in many occasions, have used Barangay Magkawa as release site for their captives.

However, the official, who asked not to be named, could not confirm if ransom was paid for Fernandez’s release.

The military though said the rescue plan was hatched Saturday night following intelligence information on the presence of the engineer in the area.

Prado said no encounter occurred as the kidnappers led by one Musana Jamiri managed to escape, leaving behind their captive unharmed.

Following the rescue, Fernandez was brought to the Army headquarters in Tipo-Tipo town for initial debriefing. He was later reunited with his family who arrived from Cebu a few days ago.

Last Saturday morning, Prado said a safehouse was raided about a kilometer away from where Fernandez was kept. A suspect was arrested and several assault weapons were seized during the raid.

Meanwhile, the military said government troops continue to track down Largio de los Santos, a resort and restaurant owner who was kidnapped in Isabela City, the capital of Basilan, last Dec. 16.

The military believes that De los Santos is still alive and has just been moved from one place to another by his Abu Sayyaf kidnappers. – With Alexis Romero