KOTA KINABALU: A Malaysian kidnap victim was shot during a firefight between his Abu Sayyaf captors and the Philippine security force in Sulu late on Thursday (April 4).
The victim, who the Philippines military identified as Jari Abdullah, 34, was shot several times.
He was flown to the southern Philippines Zambonga City for medical treatment. His condition is reported to be critical as he was shot in the head and chest.
Philippines media, quoted Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Lt. Col. Gerry Besana as saying JAri was found by the Philippine Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 at around 4.25pm following the shootout.
“The kidnap victim tried to escape from his captors during the firefight but was shot by the Abu Sayyaf,” Besama said.
They believe that the Abu Sayyaf militants was led by a certain Najir Arik during the 15-minute firefight on Simusa island, Barangay Bahkaan, Banguingui, Sulu.
A Philippine Huey helicopter airlifted Abdullah at 7pm on Thursday to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Hospital in the capital town of Jolo before being flown to Zamboanga City.
Jari and two Indonesian fishermen - Hari Ardiansya, 19, and Hariadin, 45 - were working for a Sandakan-based fishing company were kidnapped by gunmen in the Pegasus Reef around Kinabatangan-Lahad Datu on Dec 5, last year.
Their trawler was found empty and listing along the sea borders close to the Tawi Rawi chain of islands.
It was learned that the Malaysian officials with the International Monitoring team were assisting the Filipino authorities.
A few months ago, the Abu Sayyaf made contact with his Jari’s wife in Sandakan demanding that Malaysian authorities call them to discuss her husband’s freedom.
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