3 Hostages Escape from Abu Sayyaf in Southern Philippines

Richel V. Umel and Froilan Gallardo
2017.08.11
Marawi, Philippines
170811--PH-Marawi-1000 Smoke rises from the southern Philippine city of Marawi during the 81st day of fighting there between government forces and Islamic State-linked militants, Aug. 11, 2017.
Froilan Gallardo/BenarNews

Three Filipinos among a clutch of hostages, including at least 13 foreigners, have escaped from Abu Sayyaf militants who were holding them captive in the southern Philippine island of Jolo, police said Friday.

The three, identified as Jason Son Vailoces, Joel Adanza and Filemon Guerrero Jr., were to have been freed by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) gunmen on Thursday, but their release did not go through, officials said.

The gunmen scuttled the release when they “noticed that the ransom money was fake,” regional police spokeswoman Chief Insp. Tara Leah Cuyco said.

“They were taken back to camp, but managed to escape on the same day as the gunmen performed their afternoon prayer,” she said.

The trio managed to elude their captors amid a hail of gunfire, alternately hiding in bushes and running until they reached a village, where they were safely taken in by the residents, she said.

The escape coincided with a clash between the military and a 30-strong contingent of gunmen believed to be Abu Sayyaf militants, in which two soldiers and five suspects were slain elsewhere in Jolo.

In July, two Vietnamese among 15 foreigners believed to be held by the gunmen were found decapitated by the Abu Sayyaf.

Also last month, police found the decomposing remains of seven Filipinos who were kidnapped and later beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf in the island of Basilan, another stronghold of the extremists.

Abu Sayyaf militants are known for beheading their hostages unless ransom payments are made. They beheaded two Canadian hostages last year and a German captive in February.

‘Close to where they are hiding’

Thursday’s daring escape came on the 81st day of fighting between government troops and a faction of the Abu Sayyaf, led by commander Isnilon Hapilon in Marawi city, which is on the southern island of Mindanao.

Hapilon is the acknowledged leader of the Islamic State in the mostly Catholic country, and his fighters are backed by militants from the local Maute group and several militants from Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

The violence was set off on May 23 when the police and the military moved to arrest Hapilon, who was spotted in Marawi. But the rebel force overwhelmed the troops, burning several structures and kidnapping dozens of hostages along the way, including a Catholic priest.

President Rodrigo Duterte has been forced to seek the help of allies the United States and Australia, which are providing intelligence support.

Neighbors Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia have likewise offered help in defeating the militants, fearing that the violence could spread to their shores.

The death toll has been staggering. As of Thursday evening, 552 militants, 128 government forces and 45 civilians had died in the fighting, military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said on Friday.

He said the latest intelligence reports indicated that Hapilon, along with brothers Omarkhayam and Abdullah Maute were believed to still be alive and leading the militant force in Marawi.

“We believe they’re still inside the battle area and the reason why fighting has been intense is potentially, we have gone close to where they are hiding,” Padilla said.

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