Kidnapped workers freed in Sulu

CAMP S.K.PENDATUN, Maguindanao, Philippines – Village officials and policemen rescued on Friday in Omar town, Sulu two construction workers kidnapped in September in the island of Simunul in Tawi-Tawi.

The kidnappers abandoned Itih Patusa, 59, and Lindo Estrada, 50, both of Zamboanga City,  in Barangay Sucuban when they noticed the approaching barangay officials, policemen and military troops, according to Chief Superintendent Noel delos Reyes, director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police.

Delos Reyes said Omar Mayor Ferhana Mohammad and Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan II provided support, including volunteer guides, in locating the two construction workers.

“It was a good example of strong, cohesive cooperation among the mayor and the governor, the police and the military, which eventually bore fruit,” Delos Reyes told reporters.

He said Estrada and Patusa had both expressed gratitude to Ferhana and Tan for helping rescue them.

“We were forced into a boat after we were kidnapped and we sailed away from Simunul for almost two days. We do not know where we were brought. We were taken from one place to another under heavy guards,” Estrada said in Filipino.

Tan said he would help facilitate the return of Estrada and Patusa to their families in Zamboanga City.