Kidnapped Filipino farmer escapes from Sayyaf

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Security forces recovered Wednesday a Filipino farmer kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf following a firefight with his guards in the southern province of Zamboanga del Norte, officials said.

A Philippine military photo shows the 64-year old Rex Susulan Triplitt after escaping from his Abu Sayyaf captors during a firefight with security forces on Monday in Zamboanga del Norte's Sirawai town.   

A Philippine military photo shows the 64-year old Rex Susulan Triplitt being assisted by an unidentified woman in an ambulance after escaping from his Abu Sayyaf captorts during a firefight with security forces on Monday in Zamboanga del Norte's Sirawai town. 

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said the 64-year old Rex Susulan Triplitt (previously reported by the police as Triplet) was “rescued” by members of the 42^nd Infantry Battalion in the village called Pisa Itom in Sirawai town following a clash with five gunmen.

 

He said soldiers were sent to the area following reports that Triplitt was being held by gunmen in the village. “While conducting combat operations against the perpetrators of Rex Triplitt, troops of the 42nd Infantry Battalion encountered five armed men (and a firefight ensued),” Vinluan said, adding, “we are happy to inform the public that our operating troops successfully rescued abducted farmer, Rex Triplitt.”

 

“Based on the initial report from the ground, the five (gunmen) are members of the Sulu-based Daesh Inspired Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom group under Injam Yadah,” said Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade.

 

But Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, commander of the 1^st Infantry Division and head of the anti-terror Joint Task Force ZamPeLan, said Triplitt managed to escape during the fighting and sought help from villagers.

 

“Our troops were acting on information of the presence of five fully-armed men and one unarmed individual, believed to be Mr. Triplitt, in their community. When the five engaged with the operating troops, Mr. Triplitt found an opportunity to hide and ask for help,” he said.

There was no report of casualties on both sides.

Police said four masked gunmen seized Triplitt on September 16 after stopping him and his family while returning home on a motorcycle in a village in the outskirts of Sirawai town. It said the men, armed with rifles and handguns and all clad in camouflage uniform, abducted the farmer, but his wife and son managed to run away and sought help from authorities. (Zamboanga Post)

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