RI sailors turned over to lawmakers

RI sailors turned over to lawmakers

PHILIPPINES: Two Indonesian sailors, freed after more than two
months of captivity, were turned over on Wednesday to an
Indonesian lawmaker, while the Philippine military said efforts
were under way to rescue a third hostage.

The three tugboat crewmen were kidnapped by suspected Muslim
guerrillas in March. Two were rescued on Sunday on southern Jolo
island after a firefight between troops and al-Qaeda-linked Abu
Sayyaf extremists.

Erickson Hutagaol, 23, and Yamin Labuso, 28, told reporters at
the Philippine military's Southern Command headquarters in
Zamboanga city that their captors kept them constantly on the
move and they feared for their lives.

They were turned over to Indonesian lawmaker Junus Effendie
Habibie, who said he would take them home by Saturday. They will
be sent to an army hospital for further medical examination and
trauma treatment, he said.

Philippine Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza said operations to rescue
the remaining Indonesian sailor were under way. He didn't
elaborate. A senior Philippine diplomat, speaking on condition of
anonymity, told The Associated Press that officials were hoping
to have the hostage freed before Indonesian President Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono's visit to Manila next Monday. -- AP