One of four missing Indonesians found on southern RP island
One of four missing Indonesians found on southern RP island
Agencies Zamboanga, Philippines
One of four Indonesian crewmen kidnapped in southern Philippines waters by suspected Abu Sayyaf rebels was recovered by the villagers in the rebel stronghold of Jolo island but his compatriots were still being held on Wednesday.
Second officer Ferdinan Joel, 35, was found by residents in a village near the predominantly Muslim town of Luuk in Jolo island and immediately turned over to authorities.
He was then flown by helicopter to the military southern command in Zamboanga city for a debriefing and a medical checkup. Looking haggard and wearing brown pants and a white shirt, the Indonesian gave the thumbs up to journalists as he landed in Zamboanga, where an ambulance whisked him away.
"I am happy now, I am safe, I am free," Ferdinan Yoel, 35, told reporters as he recounted his dramatic dash to freedom.
He later said that he escaped by tricking his captors into allowing him to urinate in the bushes on Tuesday night. He then escaped and hid in trees to evade his captors.
He said he urged his companions to join him in the escape plan, but they refused in fear of being caught.
Armed men aboard three motorboats seajacked the crewmen's tugboat towing the Indonesian-flagged vessel Labroy 179 near the southern island of Basilan, also a known stronghold of Muslim Abu Sayaf rebels on Monday.
They then seized Joel, skipper Muntu Jacobus Winowatan, chief officer Julkipli, and chief engineer Pieter Lerrech. Six other crewmen were left behind and the vessel and tugboat were escorted to a naval wharf in the southern port of Zamboanga earlier on Wednesday.
"They did not take any money, they did not take valuables," Joel said through an interpreter, adding that he spent the night perched on a tree to evade his captors. By early Wednesday morning, he had managed to make his way to Luuk where villagers turned him over to the military.
When presented with pictures of known Abu Sayyaf guerrillas, Joel pointed to Hamsiradji Sali as the leader of the band that intercepted their vessel off the coast of Tamuk island near the rebel stronghold of Basilan island.
"This is the one," he said, pointing to the picture of Sali as one of his captors.
Sali is among the five top Abu Sayyaf leaders for whom the United States has offered up to US$5 million in rewards for any information leading to their arrest.
President Gloria Arroyo said she was informed by the military's southern command of the recovery of the hostage and thanked the people of Luuk for turning the hostage over to authorities.
"The people there are super. I really love them," Arroyo said. Investigators earlier on Wednesday were interviewing the six other crewmen left behind by the gunmen to establish whether the case was one of piracy, a political kidnapping by Abu Sayyaf guerrillas or other armed groups in the troubled southern Philippines.
Meanwhile, Indonesian vice consul Johannes Manginsela, who is based in the southern city of Davao, said his government was in close coordination with Filipino authorities in trying to locate the other victims.
However, he said Jakarta would not negotiate with the suspects if they air any demands.
"We are not going to negotiate or bargain. We believe that the Philippine security authorities can handle the peace in Mindanao," Maginsela said, adding that an embassy staff has been sent to the military's southern command to coordinate with the military.
The kidnapping incident will not affect bilateral ties between the two countries, Manginsela said. Some 10,000 Indonesians scattered in the main southern island of Mindanao however have been cautioned against associating with local Muslim groups which could have links with Islamic militants.