Abus holding Indonesian, Pinoy in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Two persons remain in the hands of Abu Sayyaf bandits in the mountains of Sulu.

“As of now, there are still two hostages, an Indonesian and a local,” Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command chief, confirmed yesterday, citing the encounters with the kidnappers that led to the rescue of two Indonesian hostages last Sunday.

Sobejana did not identify the Filipino captive for operational reasons and the safety of the victim.

He gave assurance that military operations are ongoing to rescue the victims before the end of the year.

”Our Marines and our Army soldiers are scouring the area, hoping that we will be able to get the hostages safely,” Sobejana said.

He said an Abu Sayyaf bandit identified as Hairun Itum, who was killed along with a Marine soldier during the clashes, was behind the kidnapping of three Indonesians in the waters off Lahad Datu in Sabah on Sept. 23.

“Right now, we can say they (Abu Sayyaf bandits) have a limited maneuver space as revealed by the rescued kidnap victims,” Sobejana said.

 He said the rescued Indonesians also bared that the bandits are running out of food and other logistics, including ammunition.