Posted on 06/20/2002 7:33:54 AM PDT by Tai_Chung
ZAMBOANGA - One of four Indonesian crewmen kidnapped in southern Philippine waters by suspected Abu Sayyaf rebels was found by villagers in the rebel stronghold of Jolo island yesterday.
Second officer Ferdinand Joel, 35, escaped from his captors and was found by residents in a village near the predominantly Muslim town of Luuk in Jolo island.
A marine rescue team dispatched to bring the Indonesian sailor to safety found him trembling in fear, officials said.
Mr Ferdinand was later flown by helicopter to the military's southern command in Zamboanga city for a debriefing and a medical check-up. He was treated for minor bruises.
'I'm very happy,' he said, smiling as he walked out of the emergency room accompanied by Major-General Ernesto Carolina, military commander in the southern Philippines.
Looking haggard and wearing brown pants and a white shirt, the Indonesian told reporters that he escaped by tricking his captors into allowing him to relieve himself in the bushes on Tuesday night.
He then hid among the trees to evade his captors.
He said he had urged his companions to join him in the escape plan, but they refused for fear of being caught.
Armed men aboard three motor boats hijacked the crewmen's tugboat towing the Indonesian-flagged vessel Labroy 179 near the southern island of Basilan, a known stronghold of Muslim Abu Sayaf rebels, on Monday.
They then seized Mr Ferdinand, skipper Muntu Jacobus Winowatan, chief officer Julkipli and chief engineer Pieter Lerrech.
Six other crewmen were left behind and the vessel and tugboat were escorted to a naval wharf in the southern port of Zamboanga earlier yesterday.
'They did not take any money, they did not take valuables,' Mr Ferdinand said through an interpreter, adding that he spent the night in a tree to evade his captors.
By early yesterday morning, he had managed to make his way to Luuk where villagers turned him over to the military.
When presented with pictures of known Abu Sayyaf guerillas, Mr Ferdinand pointed to Hamsiradji Sali as the leader of the band that intercepted their vessel off the coast of Tamuk island near the rebel stronghold of Basilan island.
Hamsiradji is among the five top Abu Sayyaf leaders for whom the United States has offered a reward of up to US$5 million (S$9 million) for any information leading to their arrest.
Meanwhile, Indonesian vice-consul Johannes Manginsela, who is based in the southern city of Davao, said his government was working closely with Filipino authorities to locate the other victims.
However, he said Jakarta would not make any deals with the suspects.
'We are not going to negotiate or bargain. We believe that the Philippine security authorities can handle the peace in Mindanao,' Mr Johannes said.--
>He then hid among the trees to evade his captors.
>He said he had urged his companions to join him in the escape plan, but they refused for fear of being caught.
A very bold sailor. Initiative, improvisation. He is alive and his friends who did what they were told and sought apparent safety are where right now?
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