A DISTRESSED woman, believed to be a kidnap victim, showed up at a military facility in Patikul town in Sulu on Thursday night, a military official said.
Colonel Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said Friday they are still ascertaining the identity of the woman, whom he described to be between 15 and 18 years old.
Arrojado said the woman appeared before the headquarters of the Alpha Company of the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Pansul “chained on her hand a right foot.”
“The woman looked physically and mentally distressed,” said Arrojado of the victim, who was later given “appropriate clothing and served with dinner.”
“Likewise, the metal chain was also immediately removed,” added Arrojado.
He said the military asked the barangay chairman if the woman was a resident of the locality.
“However, the barangay chair did not know the woman,” said Arrojado.
Arrojado said the woman was later brought to Camp Teodulfo Bautista Trauma Hospital “for appropriate medical attention.”
"(A)fter a thorough check, it was concluded that she’s not mentally stable and that (the trauma hospital commander) recommended that the woman be brought to a psychiatrist for further evaluation,” said Arrojado.
Arrojado said coordination was already made with law enforcement agencies in Sulu and nearby provinces to determine the identity of the woman.
“Said woman will stay at the (camp’s) trauma hospital while waiting for her evaluation to Zamboanga City,” said Arrojado.
Arrojado said they believed the woman was a kidnap victim of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, which is said to be holding at least 10 foreign and Filipino hostages in Sulu. (VR/Sunnex)