THE Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) released on Wednesday evening, October 17, one of their kidnap victims after the captive's family paid P1.2 million worth of ransom.

In a report, authorities said the ASG released Rufo Roda to a certain Al, who allegedly took part in the negotiation around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in downtown Jolo, Sulu.

Roda, a militiaman, was abducted in Piacan, a coastal village in the town of Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte on August 31 along with his wife, Helen.

A group of five Abu Sayyaf bandits seized the couple following a clash in the evening of August 31 .

The clash resulted to the death of five people while a child was injured.

The family of the victim allegedly paid P1.2 million worth of ransom money for the release of the couple but the bandits refused to free Ronda’s wife.

Ronda is now undergoing custodial debriefing prior to his turnover to his family.

The police said Roda, escorted by military intelligence personnel, boarded a commercial ferry Wednesday night en route to Zambaonga City.

The Abu Sayyaf bandits are still holding captives: 10 people, including two foreigners--a Dutch and a Vietnamese.

Military focused operation continue in a bid to locate and possibly rescue the remaining hostages. (SunStar Philippines)