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Philippine Troops Rescue 12 Hostages
Philippine President Joseph Estrada announced Monday afternoon that evangelist Wilde Almeda and 11 preachers from the Jesus Miracle Crusade (JMC) were rescued from the Abu Sayyaf group in the southern Sulu province.
In an interview over DZMM radio, Estrada said the rescue was relayed to him by Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Angelo Reyes. He said the preachers were found in Sitio Lubok, Barangy (village) Maybahay, in Talipao town.
"The Abu Sayyaf guerrillas began running and the hostages were left behind. They are still in Jolo. They will be transferred to Zamboanga and tomorrow they will be brought to Manila. The Abu Sayyaf guerrillas are being chased," said the president.
Earlier, one of the JMC members, Fernando Solon, was recovered by the military in Barangay Mabuhay, Talipao, Sulu at 8:20 a.m., Monday.
According to Reyes, Solon managed to flee at the height of a firefight between pursuing Army troopers and Abu Sayyaf kidnappers since Sunday.
The recovery of the 12 evangelists occurred on the 17th day of an air and ground assault launched by the military on the jungle hideouts of the Abu Sayyaf rebels.
Almeda and his followers were prevented by the Abu Sayyaf from leaving their lair since July. The preachers went their to pray over the earlier kidnapped 21 foreigners and Filipinos by the group from Malaysia.
The Abu Sayyaf is still holding hostage American Jeffrey Schilling, three Malaysians and a Filipino. The remaining Filipino hostage was taken from the Malaysian diving resort of Sipadan on April 23 together with 20 other hostages.
Since the massive military operations started on September 16, 117 Abu Sayyaf members have been killed, 49 wounded and 53 captured in 40 armed clashes, 38 of which were initiated by the military.
On the military side, four soldiers were killed, including two during a clash in Barangay Mabahay, Talipao on Monday. Twelve government troopers were also wounded.
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