So it is A VERY GREAT THANKS to the Philippine armed services who risked their lives to rescue Allan and Vilma Hyrons and hope that the injured personnel have a speedy recovery.

 

Last year, on our ride across Indonesia, we rode from Duma down the awesome northwest Zamboanga dirt road into Sibuco, a lovely little town in an isolated bay. There is one old hotel. Upon checking in the hotel lady said we must go "now" to the police/army station around the corner and register with them. I was the first white guy in over a year to come there. The army assigned us two bodyguard soldiers, armed with automatic rifles. The boss said we could NOT continue south around the dirt road into Zambo City. That there is "you-know-who's" living back there. (So why don't they just go shoot them?) The soldiers sat outside the hotel all night long! Guarding me! I was scared shitless. Every time the door creaked from a breeze I awoke. We were up before dawn and riding fast back north to the pavement to loop around to Ipil. Scary as heck, but really beautiful country. We ended the ride in Sharia compliant Banda Aceh City, 6 months & 8000 miles later. Livin on the edge Baby.

 

Why would any foreigner want to go to a resort in Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur, much less actually go to one? Must be a writer and wanting material for his next book. Can't come up with any other reason.

 

The big question is - what do the Hyrons do now? Having been through that Hell once is no guarantee that the terrorists will not try again - I cannot see them wanting to return to Tukuran. Perhaps they will not even want to remain in the Philippines. So what to do about all their businesses?

They are very lucky people (without getting this thread bogged down by the concept of 'luck') - the terrorists may well have killed them at the point of attempted rescue. It is another eye-opener for foreigners here - Mindanao is NOT the best place to live and definitely not coastal.

 

That's quite far off topic now but anyway - is there a way to get to Indonesia from Mindanao, with a bike?

 

Probably, but you'll never get your bike back in, no matter how much correct paperwork you have. That's why the many plans of mc tours/trips to Malaysia & Indonesia are only, unfortunately, pipe dreams.
Better rent a bike over there & save yourself headaches.