DND lauds military for successful rescue of Hyrons couple

FILE: SAFE AND SOUND. Military officials and US Ambassador Daniel Pruce (left) welcome Allan and Wilma Hyrons at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on Monday (Nov. 25, 2019). The couple were rescued by government troops in Sulu from their Abu Sayyaf captors. (Photo courtesy of PAF Public Affairs Office via PNA)

MANILA — The Department of National (DND) on Tuesday lauded the military for its successful rescue of the Hyrons couple from the clutches of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists.

“The DND commends the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) for the successful rescue of Allan and Wilma Hyrons from the hands of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group. The rescue of the Hyrons is a result of our forces’ relentless operations against the ASG, and a testament to the bravery and dedication of our troops on the ground,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a message to reporters.

He also lauded the ground unit, the 2nd Special Forces Battalion, who directly participated in the operations and the AFP Western Mindanao Command.

“We congratulate the 2nd Special Forces Battalion which directly took part in the operations, and the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command led by Lt Gen Cirilito Sobejana,” Andolong added.

The British national and his Filipino wife were rescued in Mount Piahan, Parang, Sulu around 8 a.m. Monday. They were abducted by six gunmen from the family-owned resort in Barangay Alindahaw, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur on October 4.

Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the couple’s rescue came after a series of clashes since Friday that constricted the movement of the ASG bandits.