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Kidnapped UK man and wife rescued after Philippines gun battle | Kidnapped UK man and wife rescued after Philippines gun battle |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A British businessman and his Filipino wife have been rescued from their abductors in the southern Philippines, the country's army has said. | A British businessman and his Filipino wife have been rescued from their abductors in the southern Philippines, the country's army has said. |
Allan and Wilma Hyrons were taken from a beach resort on Mindanao island by four armed men on 4 October. | |
Their kidnappers - thought to belong to the IS-loyal militant group Abu Sayaff - fled after a gun battle in the nearby Sulu region on Sunday. | |
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the couple were "safe and well". | |
Mr Hyrons, 70, who is a dual national, has lived in Mindanao's Zamboanga del Sur region with his wife since 2013. | |
On the day they were captured, the couple had reportedly been celebrating Teachers' Day at a nearby college. | |
Witnesses reported seeing them being taken from a hut and dragged to a motorboat. | |
They were given medical checks after their ordeal ended with the operation by Philippine forces at approximately 17:00 GMT on Sunday. | |
Mr Raab thanked the Philippine authorities' "tremendous efforts". | |
"We are in particular grateful to their armed forces for their courage throughout a difficult operation which resulted in Alan and Wilma's release," he said. | |
"Foreign Office officials have been in close contact with Alan and Wilma's family throughout this ordeal. We request their privacy during this emotional time." | |
British Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce tweeted: "Fantastic news! My sincerest thanks to all involved." | |
The UK government advises Britons against all travel to the area where Mr Hyrons was taken. | |
BBC Philippines correspondent Howard Johnson says the island has "several militant groups" operating on it. | BBC Philippines correspondent Howard Johnson says the island has "several militant groups" operating on it. |
In May this year a 59-year-old Dutch hostage was reportedly killed by his captors on the nearby island of Jolo. | In May this year a 59-year-old Dutch hostage was reportedly killed by his captors on the nearby island of Jolo. |
The Philippine army said Ewold Horn, who had been kidnapped in 2012, was shot as his captors fled a confrontation with troops. | The Philippine army said Ewold Horn, who had been kidnapped in 2012, was shot as his captors fled a confrontation with troops. |