A cadaver of an Indonesian kidnap victim was recovered by military troops in Sulu Tuesday afternoon, September 29.
“Our troops were in pursuit of the fleeing local terrorist group members following an encounter, when they recovered the cadaver of the slain kidnap victim,” said Lt. Col. Ruben Guinolbay, Commanding Officer of the 45th Infantry Battalion.
The troops of the 45IB were scouring the enemy withdrawal route, about 300 meters from the encounter site along Brgy. Maligay, Patikul Sulu.
“Based on facial recognition, our intelligence officer identified the kidnap victim as one of the five Indonesian kidnap victims; however, name is being withheld for further confirmation,” said Brig. Gen. William Gonzales, Joint Task Force Sulu Commander.
“His remains will be transported to Zamboanga City for further confirmation”, Brig. Gen. Gonzales added.
Meanwhile, “Based on reports from the ground, during the encounter, the killed victim had an opportunity to escape. While running away, he was fired upon by his abductors. His body was found 300 meters from the encounter site,” Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr. stated.
“We are yet to reconfirm before we reveal the full identity of the victim,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan added.
The other Indonesian kidnap victims still in custody of the terrorist group are Arsyad Dahlan, 41 skipper of the fishing boat, fishermen Arizal Kastamiran, 29, Riswanto Hayano, 27, La Baa, 34 and Edi Lawalopo, 53.
The report did not indicate whether the four mentioned other kidnap victims were with the group of ASG when troops encountered them.
Recall the five kidnap victims were kidnapped by the ASG in Tambisan Island, Malaysia, an island off Sulu Sea, while they were fishing in the area last January 16, 2020. Three of them were later freed.
(Source: Western Mindanao Command)