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Thursday, April 03, 2008
Sayyafs free Sulu school supervisor
By Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A top police official announced Wednesday that the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bandits have freed the Muslim school supervisor they seized in the island province of Sulu.
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) Police Director Joel Goltiao said Lullong Marrack, 60, was freed around 1:40 a.m. Wednesday in the town of Maimbung.
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Goltiao said the Abu Sayyaf bandits seized Marrack around 8:20 a.m. on Tuesday in the village of Labah in the same town.
No ransom was paid by the relatives of the victim who exerted effort in seeking the immediate release of Marrack, according to Goltiao.
Marrack was aboard a passenger jeep together with some teachers on the way to attend commencement exercises in Barangay Kulasi Elementary School when the Abu Sayyafs flagged down the vehicle and seized him.
The teachers and the rest of the passengers including the driver were left unharmed by the Abu Sayyaf bandits.
Goltiao disclosed that the Abu Sayyaf bandits were led by Abul Dahim and Gafur Jumdail, a brother of Dr. Abu Pula -- one of the bandit leaders involved in the Sipadan kidnapping in 2000.
The Sulu Provincial Police Office is conducting an investigation to determine the motive of Marrack's abduction.
Goltiao said the victim was reunited with his family upon arriving home Wednesday morning in Barangay San Raymundo, Jolo, the province's capital.
The Abu Sayyaf bandits are still holding captive rice trader Ma. Rosalie Lao, a resident of Jolo town.
Lao was about to enter the family compound when five Abu Sayyaf bandits abducted her in the afternoon of January 28 in Barangay Kakuyagan of the same town.
Military and police officials said Lao was seized by the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Al-bader Parad who was involved in the Sipadan kidnapping in 2000.
Goltiao said there is an ongoing negotiation for Lao's release. He added: "Everything is being kept under wraps upon the request of the Lao family." (Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (April 3, 2008 issue)
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