Thursday, January 15, 2009 3 abducted in Sulu for non-payment of dowry By Bong Garcia
THREE people were seized Tuesday in Sulu province after they allegedly failed to comply with a Muslim tradition in getting married, a police official said.
Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, Sulu Provincial Police chief, identified the victims as Mani Sahibul, 50, Ibrahim Palli, 27, and Astropil Tani, 22.
Kasim said in a phone interview Wednesday that the suspects seized the victims since one of them did not pay a dowry to the relatives of a woman he married months ago.
The payment of dowry is a Muslim tradition that a man should comply with when marrying a woman.
Kasim said it was not immediately known who among the victims failed to comply with his promise, citing investigation continues. He added they will also have to identify the woman's family.
The victims were on their way to Jolo, the capital of Sulu, when the suspects flagged down their vehicle Tuesday morning in Barangay Tikong, Parang.
Kasim said the victims were released Tuesday afternoon after some relatives from both camps interceded and agreed to peacefully settle their differences.
"Maybe the dowry was already paid, that is why they were freed," Kasim said.
