Abu Sayyaf kidnap victims escaped while abductors were praying

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The kidnap victims made their escape as their abductors prayed yesterday
Three construction workers kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf in Sulu last month have escaped, a military official announced today (Friday, August 11).

Joint Task Force Sulu commander Colonel Cirilito Sobejana identified the men as Jason Pon Vailoces, Joel del Mesa Adanza and Filemon Francisco Guerrero, who are all natives of Zamboanga City.

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As we previously reported, the three were abducted from a sports complex in Barangay Bangkal in Patikul on July 15.

They told authorities that because of ongoing military operations, they were forced to march with their kidnappers from one place to another until they reached an area away from the group’s stronghold.

They said they escaped yesterday afternoon while their captors were praying.



The three men ran until they reached a nearby village, where they were handed in to a police station.

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Local police, together with military personnel, brought the men to Sulu Provincial Police Office in Jolo where they underwent medical examination and debriefing.

After completing formalities, they will be airlifted home to Zamboanga City.