MANILA, Aug. 20 (PNA) – Malacanang commended on Thursday the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Task Force Sulu for conducting operations that led to the fleeing of two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel from their Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) kidnappers.
The military attributed their effort to rescue PCG’s Seaman First Class Rodlyn Pagaling and Seaman Second Class Gringo Villaruz to its operation in Sulu last Wednesday that led to the death of at least 15 ASG members.
”We commend the AFP and its task force that succeeded in enabling the fleeing from captivity of two Philippine Coast Guard personnel,” Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing.
Coloma said the military troops have also succeeded in breaking the areas that were previously held by the Abu Sayyaf Group.
According to PCG spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo, the two personnel were abducted last May 4 at around 2 a.m. at the Barangay Hall near the port area of Barangay Aliguay in Dapitan City.
With the support of the citizenry, government troopers had tracked and raided the known lairs of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
According to the AFP, military operations are ongoing to secure the safety of other persons being held captive by the ASG. (PNA)