|
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Military mounts anti-Sayyaf operation anew
By Al Jacinto
GOVERNMENT security forces mounted fresh operation Monday against members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group in Jolo island, about 950 km south of the Philippine capital, a day after a kidnapped restaurant owner was freed unharmed, officials said.
Officials said soldiers were dispatched to pursue the bandits in the hinterland of Sulu province, where they freed Renato Yanga after more than two months in captivity. "There is an ongoing operation against the Abu Sayyaf and troops are tracking down the kidnappers," the commander of the military's anti-terror task force Brig. Gen. Alexander Aleo said.
He said Yanga was kidnapped in March and had been released at dawn Sunday in the hinterland of Indanan town, Sulu. The 45-year-old Yanga, owner of Top Spot restaurant in Jolo, was snatched on April 10, 2005.
The kidnappers had demanded five million pesos for Yanga's freedom, but Aleo said no ransom was paid to the Abu Sayyaf group. Yanga walked from Indanan town until he reached the house of Jolo Mayor Suod Tan, who informed Aleo about the release.
Aleo said Yanga could have been freed because of the ongoing military operation on the island.
An Abu Sayyaf faction is still holding a kidnapped Indonesian tugboat skipper Ahmad Resimyadi, 32, who was seized at sea in March, along with two other compatriots earlier freed by the bandits. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
