ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/20 September) – Government forces rescued a recently-kidnapped Filipina businesswoman married to a Scottish national following a firefight with suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in the island province of Basilan, a military official disclosed Monday.
Luisa Galvez-Morrison suffered slight injuries in the legs, and was brought to the headquarters of the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion in Sumisip municipality, Basilan province.
Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) spokesperson said Morrison was rescued around 3 p.
m. Monday in Sitio Bohe Peyat, Barangay Baiwas, Sumisip.
Morrison, who is married to a Scottish engineer, was kidnapped last September 4 at her business establishment in Barangay Poblacion, Ipil town, the capital of Zamboanga Sibugay.
Morrison, who had worked for several years in Malaysia, moved last year to Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay and opened up the RL Salon and Spa, which she owns and manages.
She resides at Neriscom Subdivision, Barangay Magadup.
Cabangbang said the troops from the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion headed by Lt. Col. Armad Arevalo were deployed to Sitio Bohe Peyat to check the reported presence of gunmen in the area prior to the rescue of Morrison.
Upon reaching the area, Cabangbang said a firefight ensued between the troops and the suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits reportedly led by Radzmer Temmeng Jannatul and a certain Julhayver alias Abu Kik.
The firefight resulted in the death of three alleged bandits namely Abu Sa-id, Abdul Aziz and a certain Mukim while a soldier identified as Private First Class Arjae de Ramos was wounded, Cabangbang disclosed.
Cabangbang said that the troops managed to rescue Morrison during the firefight. (MindaNews)