Philippine Coast Guard recovery of the last crew abducted crew of SSK

According to the Philippine Coast Guard (ReCAAP Focal Point), the Joint Operating Elements of the 2nd Marine Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was conducting intensified search and rescue operation in the vicinity of Kalupag Island, Brgy Kalupag, Languyan, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines on 21 March 2021 when they encountered two members of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) with the last crew who wasabducted from fishing trawler SSK 00543 on 17 January 20201.

While the AFP elements were engaged in a firefight with the ASG members, the abducted crew managed to escape from his captors and he was rescued by the AFP elements.

Location of the rescue of the last crew

1 On 20 March 2021, the ReCAAP ISC issued the first Incident Update on the rescue of three abducted crew from a Jungkong-type watercraft that had capsized in the vicinity waters off Pasigan Laut Island, South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines on 18 March 2021. The three crew were among the four crew who were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) from fishing trawler, SSK 00543 at approximately 4.24 nm offPulau Tambisan, Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia on 17 January 2020. The last crew was reported missing
then.

Incident Update

Reported by: Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) With the recovery of the last crew on 21 March 2021, all the four abducted crew of SSK
00543 are rescued by the Philippine authorities.