Troops rescue 2 families kidnapped in Zamboanga del Norte

ZAMBOANGA CITY--Government troops have rescued six people, including two children, seized by a kidnap-for-ransom-group (KFRG) on June 28 in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the military reported Wednesday.

In a report to the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), the Joint Task Force Sulu said the victims were rescued around 11 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Gata, Talipao, Sulu.

Rescued were couple Feliciano and Elsa Javier, both 28 years old and their son, five-month old Vincent Javier; and couple Junior and Rica Javier, both 22 years old and their son, Val Javier, five years old.

Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) director earlier said the victims were seized by a KFRG led by Jamilon Tukalan alias Jamilon Wahab on June 28 in Sitio Maasom, Barangay San Nicolas, Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.

The victims worked as caretakers of a farm in Sitio Maasom, Barangay San Nicolas, owned by Engr. Valiente Felizarta, the municipal engineer of Sirawai town.

The victims, after their rescue, were taken to the district hospital in Luuk, Sulu, for medical check-up and brought to the headquarters of the Joint Task Force Sulu for debriefing and documentation. (With reports from Ely D. Dumaboc/PNA)