ZAMBOANGA - Authorities have rescued five employees of a logging firm who were abducted in Lanao del Sur.

A combined team from the Philippine Army's 103rd Brigade 1st Infantry Division, and the 1501st Provincial Mobile Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP), rescued hostages Eudillo Padilla, Felipe Lanuza, Vicky Lanuza, Rene Morteza and Jerald Cabanig.

The victims are residents of Sitio Man-ay, Tignapoloan, Cagayan de Oro and employees of Vicmar Logging Concession.

They were abducted by eight armed men at sitio Champion, Panorunganan, Kapai, Lanao del Sur.

Authorities said the victims were taken by their abductors to several places until they were rescued at poblacion Kapai.

The abductors were reportedly led by a certain Basit Kauyag.

The rescue operations were made through joint efforts of Tagoloan Dos Mayor Cosain Capal, and several leaders various local government units, the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The victims are now under the custody of the 103rd Brigade for custodial debriefing.