Abu Sayyaf frees another hostage in Sulu

From the Mindanao Examiner (May 21): Abu Sayyaf frees another hostage in Sulu

Abu Sayyaf rebels freed Monday one of its hostages in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, but security officials declined to provide information on the release of the captive for a still unknown reason.

The freed hostage was taken to a military base and currently undergoing an interview by security officials. The Western Mindanao Command also did not release any information and officials have been silent for the past weeks.

The Abu Sayyaf, whose leaders pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, is still holding at least 9 hostages, including three Indonesian sailors and a Vietnamese seaman, a Dutchman and four Filipinos.

Two policewomen Bennie Rose Alvarez and Dinah Gumahad were also released on May 16 barely three weeks after rebels seized them in Patikul town on April 29 along with two other civilians Jakosalem Blas and Faizal Ahidji who had been earlier freed.

Philippine police chief Oscar Albayalde flew last week to Sulu province and fetched the officers and presented them to President Rodrigo Duterte..

Albayalde thanked Sulu Governor Totoh Tan for his assistance in the safe release of the officers. The release of the officers came days after Albayalde sought Tan’s help in recovering Alvarez and Gumahad.

Former rebel chieftain Nur Misuari of the Moro National Liberation Front was also present during the handover, but it was unclear whether he took part or directly involved in the negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf for the release of the hostages. The Abu Sayyaf had demanded P5 million in exchange for the officers. It was unknown whether ransom had been paid for the freedom of the police officers.

The officers are assigned with the the crime laboratory and engineering department and were vacationing in Sulu when rebels kidnapped them near a military base. They were travelling on a motorcycle taxi when about a dozen gunmen flagged down their vehicle in Liang village in Patikul town and took them away. Police have identified the gang’s leader as Mujir Yada.

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