The military recovered a doctor released by his Abu Sayyaf abductors in Sulu on Tuesday night.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command chief, said troops were conducting combat operation against the terrorist group when Daniel Moreno was released by his abductors.

Moreno was kidnapped by armed men in his clinic in Jolo on Feb.4

Sobejana said during the combat operation soldiers found and rescued Moreno at the vicinity of Brgy. Bangalan, Indanan, Sulu around 7:30 pm.

“The event started with release, then rescue, then firefight…what had really transpired is that we had a continuous search and rescue operations as well as security operations against the Abu Sayyaf and of course primarily for the rescue of the six kidnap victims,” he said.

“At 7:30 last night there was a report about their presence in the area so our troops responded particularly the 1102nd brigade they detected movements of armed lawless groups so they conducted hot pursuit operation then they just saw Dr. Moreno in the area,” he added.

Sobejana said after the rescue of Moreno, soldiers pursued the Abu Sayyaf resulting in a running gun battle that lasted for five minutes.

He said Moreno underwent medical examination at the military hospital in Busbus, Jolo and custodial debriefing. He was turned over to the Philippine National Police who will send him to his family.

“The reason that we see why he was released is because the terrorist were being hunted by the troops. Considering the age and of course the health condition of the doctor, maybe their movement was affected,” said Sobejana.

“So far there is no adverse report on his (Moreno) health, I’m still waiting for the progress report from JTF Sulu as regards in the results of the custodial debriefing,” he said.

Sobejana said according to the family of Moreno the terrorist demanded a three million peso ransom but this was not paid by the family before the doctor was freed. Robina Asido/DMS