Government Troops Rescue 2 PCG Men in Sulu

Zamboanga City (PNA) -– Government forces have rescued the two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel at the height of a firefight Thursday against the Abu Sayyaf brigands holding captive the PCG personnel in the hinterlands of Sulu.

Capt. Antonio Bulao, Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS) information officer, told the Philippines News Agency that the two PCG men were rescued one after the other in Barangay Buanza, Indanan, Sulu.

Bulao said the troops were able to rescue first SN2 Gringo Villaruz around 7 a.m. Thursday while SN1 Rod Pagaling was rescued an hour alter.

Bulao said the troops were on law enforcement operation when they clashed with the group of Abu Sayyaf brigands holding captive Villaruz and Pagaling.

Bulao said the duo was immediately taken to the Trauma Hospital in Camp Gen. Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, the capital of Sulu.

The Abu Sayyaf brigands kidnapped the two PCG personnel together with Rodolfo Boligao last May 4 in Aliguay, Dapitan City.

The Abu Sayyaf brigands executed Boligao, the barangay chairman of Aliguay, last August 11.

Villaruz and Pagaling were detailed in Aliguay Island to monitor the arrival and departure of motorboats ferrying tourists from and to the island. (PNA) FFC/TPGJR