Google map of Talipao, Sulu
ZAMBOANGA CITY-- Government authorities have recovered the 10 Filipino fishermen kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits on Tuesday in Lahad Datu, Malaysia.
The Sulu Provincial Police Office said the fishermen were sighted by the men of Talipao Municipal Police Station around 10 p.m. Friday in Barangay Kahawa, Talipao in Sulu.
The Talipao mobile patrol saw a group of people walking along the Barangay Kahawa road and when questioned they learned that they are the fishermen seized in Lahad Datu and were released by the ASG.
“They were released by their captors since they have no money or anything to give as ransom,” the police added.
The police identified them only by one name: Ogan, 20; Bongosan, 30; Ekong, 17; Samsul, 22; Hadji Kand, 60; Amil, 31; Apak, 50; Inai, 22; Kassim, 22; and, Memek, 28.
They were immediately taken to the police station for custodial debriefing.
It was reported earlier that they were aboard two vessels in the waters off Tambisan, Lahad Datu and sailing to Semporna when hijacked by gunmen on speedboats around 2 a.m. Tuesday. (PNA)
