WestMinCom turn over rescued kidnap victims to Vietnamese authorities

The Western Mindanao Command turned over three rescued kidnap victims and the cadaver of another victim to Vietnamese authorities in Zamboanga City last November 12.

Buy Xuan Vien, Bui Trung Duc, and Nguten Quang Huy were officially received by Nguyen Duc Bien, the representative of the Vietnamese Embassy at around 11am last Sunday in Camp Navarro, Calarian.

The rescued victims were made to undergo medical checkup in the military hospital inside WestMinCom last November 11.

The cadaver of Nguyin Huu Trong, another Vietnamese KV who was already dead due to a lingering illness when rescued, will be brought to Manila to undergo autopsy.

The group will fly back to their country after the needed procedures and documentations in Manila.

Present also during the turnover were the Commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, Rear Admiral Rene Medina; the NFWM Deputy Commander for Marine Operation, Captain Hernanie Songano; and the NFWM Deputy for Fleet Operation, Captain Caesar Valencia.

“Your navy in WestMinCom area is very thankful for the recent success,” said Rear Admiral Medina. “We will be more motivated to continue doing our job the best way we can.”

The Vietnamese were rescued from the hands of the Abu Sayyaf Group in a special operation of the Navy and the Joint Task Force Tawi-tawi launched near Kang Tipayan Island in Languyan, Tawi-Tawi at around 7:45am last November 10.

Said hostages, all crew members of Marine Vessel Giang Hai 5, were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf bandits off the waters of Pearl Bank, Pangutaran, Sulu on February 25, 2017.

Of the 17 crew members boarding the said vessel, two were killed while attempting to escape from the Abu Sayyaf.

Ten were rescued by the troops, while the group of Xuan Vien was forcibly taken and transported by the bandits to mainland Sulu.

As of this date, there are seven foreigners and nine Filipinos who are still held by the Abu Sayyaf in the hinterlands of Sulu.

“We are happy to send them off back to their families” said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“Their experiences had been rough and it is just right that they spend time with their families the soonest.”

“Again, my commendations to our Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi and the Naval Forces Western Mindanao troops for this accomplishment.”