MANILA, Philippines – Officials say an Indonesian sailor has escaped from his Abu Sayyaf abductors in the southern Philippines after they threatened to behead him.
Military spokesman Maj. Filemon Tan says 28-year-old Mohammad Sayfan was rescued early Wednesday by residents who found him floating and trapped in fishnets along shore of southern Jolo island.
Sayfan is one of seven crew members of the Tugboat Charles who were abducted near Philippine waters on June 23. A total of nine Indonesians are among 16 foreigners still held by the Abu Sayyaf, one of the most violent Muslim separatist groups in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.
Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines agreed in May to carry out coordinated patrols to thwart off kidnappings along the busy sea lanes.
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