AFP lauds rescue of Hyrons couple from ASG bandits

FILE: Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Areval at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday (May 6, 2019). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday expressed gladness over the rescue of a British national and his Filipino wife from their Abu Sayyaf captors.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ chief, General Noel Clement expresses his elation over the successful rescue of kidnap victims (KVs) Allan Hyrons and spouse Wilma.

They are, as we speak, undergoing medical examinations, debriefing, and other processes prior to their flight to Manila,” AFP spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a message to reporters.

Likewise, Arevalo said the AFP chief is extending his commendations to the troops who, with the help of elements of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Anti-Kidnapping Group, worked incessantly, tirelessly, and selflessly to free the couple from the crutches of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group, he added.

“He (Clement) warns the ASG and their cohorts to release the remaining kidnap victims they are still detaining. Else, he says, the AFP will employ its might to subdue these terrorists and ultimately end their menace,” Arevalo said.

The AFP spokesperson added that there will be no letup in the still raging operations to find, fix, and finish them and rescue the remaining kidnap victims.

The Hyrons couple was rescued around 8 a.m. Monday in Mount Piahan, Parang, Sulu. 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.