Kidnappers free American mom, still hold son, cousin

Monday, October 3, 2011

ZAMBOANGA CITY (2nd update, 11 a.m.) -- Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits freed an American citizen, who was kidnapped for more than two months along with her son and a relative in this city, a local government official said Monday.

Mayor Celso Lobregat, who chairs the local Crisis Management Committee (CMC), said the victim, Gerfa Yeatts Lunsmann, 42, was freed shortly after 11 p.m. Sunday in Maluso town, Basilan province.

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Lunsmann, her son Kevin Erick, 14, and cousin Romnick Jakaria, 19, were kidnapped by 14 gunmen on July 19 in Tigtabon Island, Zambaoanga City.

Lobregat, who met Lunsmann when she arrived shortly before 3 a.m. Monday at Camp Basilio Navarro in this city, said she was released following series of negotiations between her German husband, Hiko, who is based in Virginia, United States of America (USA).

“The communication between the kidnappers and her husband has been going on for quite some time,” Lobregat said.

“There was nothing on that sort was discussed during our brief conversation,” Lobregat said when asked about payment of ransom.

Earlier report stated that the kidnappers demanded $10 million ransom in exchange for the release of the victims but authorities refused to confirm the report.

ZAMBOANGA. Police Regional Office-9 medical officer Dexter Bubuli (back to the camera) meets Gerfa Yeatts
Lunsmann (left) upon her arrival early Monday as shown in this photo released by City Hall. (Bong Garcia)

Lobregat said Lunsmann was released by the kidnappers in an isolated area and made to walk to the place where she was picked up by personnel of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P).

She was fetched by a helicopter from Basilan to Camp Basilio Navarro, which houses the headquarters of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom), where the JSOTF-P headquarters is also located in this city.

Lobregat said that earlier, Lunsmann was to be released together with her son but the kidnappers later changed their decision.

The United States Embassy in Manila lauded Monday the "effective" efforts of the Philippine government in securing the release Lunsmann.

“This outcome could not have occurred without the concerted efforts of Philippine government officials and the personal engagement of Mayor Celso Lobregat of Zamboanga City,” the US embassy said.

“We commend the diligent, professional and effective efforts of everyone involved in securing the Lunsmanns’ release,” it added.

Lunsmann, who is a veterinarian by profession, and her son, were on vacation when they were seized by the kidnappers in Tigtabon Island.

They arrived in the city last June 29 and were scheduled to fly back to Manila last July 13.

Jackaria visited the Lunsmanns a day before the incident to meet the elder Lunsmann.

Lunsmann, who was adopted by a German couple who raised her in America, is a native of Pangapuyan Island barangay located near Tigtabon. (Bong Garcia/CVB)