Third rescue bid is aborted
Published on: Saturday, September 26, 2015
Kuala Lumpur: Philippines authorities aborted a rescue attempt for two Malaysians held captive on Jolo island over the weekend, after the captors got wind of military presence.The suspected Abu Sayyaf rebels then moved the captives from the east of the island further inside and the hilly terrain conditions and torrential weather brought an end to the military operation.Sources disclosed this was the third of such rescue attempt and a similar attempt last month turned bloody when more than 10 suspected rebels were killed in gunfire exchange.
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"In that incident, the Malaysian captives were unharmed as the captors realised they have a financial value for as long as they were kept alive."The military will now re-strategise before deciding their next move," sources in Southern Philippines said. And, one source disclosed, the latest abduction of foreigners on the popular Samal Island off Davao City, about 1,000km east off Jolo earlier this week, has further hampered efforts.They have not ruled out the possibility that both abductions could be linked as hostages were deemed a prized commodity. For the Malaysian captives, the hostage takers have reportedly demanded a RM30 million ransom. "It would seem the amount cannot be raised and negotiations are still underway. Maybe, this was why they moved to the other targets on Samal Island,"Late Monday night, three foreigners and a local were taken captive when armed men stormed the Holiday Ocean View Samal Resort on Island Garden City.
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"The two Canadians were the senior executive and geologist of a mining company, while the other was a Norwegian."The Jolo island rescue attempt had been planned for sometime after intelligence revealed the captives had not been shifted from the Luuk region on Jolo' Island's east.
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Previously held in the secondary jungle in Indanan region on the island's west, the captives were moved to Patikul and Talipao before being brought to their most recent location."Luuk was a safe region for them and the captives were held there under rebel leader Radhullan Shahiron." Villagers learnt of the captives presence when medical supplies were sought for a patient suffering diabetes.A local non-governmental organisation initiated efforts to send medical supplies and this continued for sometime."The last time the volunteers came in contact with the captives, they were found to be frail and exhausted."Military sources on Zamboanga remain tight-lipped over the attempted rescue as not to thwart follow-up operations and ensure safety of the captives.The Malaysians were taken captive from the popular Ocean King seafood restaurant in Sandakan and have remained in captivity since the May 14 abduction. Restaurant co owner Thien Nyuk Fun, 51, and Bernard Then Ted Fun, 30, both have medical conditions which require constant medication.Today is their 133rd day in captivity and they remain Malaysians held longest following an abduction by kidnap for ransom gangs based in Southern Philippines since their activities gained notoriety 15 years ago.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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