ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits released Tuesday a 19-year-old hostage they seized last August 27, 2009 in Zamboanga del Norte.
Lieutenant Colonel Gamal Hayudini, Fourth Civil Relations Group (CRG) chief, said the victim, Donald John Capili, was freed around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the village of Baiwas, Sumisip, Basilan.
Hayudini said Capili was picked up by Mujiv Sakkalahul, the nephew of Basilan Vice Governor Alrasheed Sakkalahul, who is chair of the Crisis Management Committee (CMC).
He added that Capili was taken to the farmhouse of the CMC chairman in Ubit village, Lamitan City, where he and Sakkalahul arrived at 8:15 p.m. of the same night.
Capili is in good condition when released, Hayudini said.
The released kidnap victim is the grandson of former Liloy town mayor Belchu Uy. He was seized around 5 p.m. last August 27 at the family-owned gasoline station in the village of Baybay, Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte.
Hayudini did not say whether ransom was paid but reports reaching the CMC said a P100,000 "board and lodging" fee was paid to the kidnappers.
Senior Superintendent Rey Cristeto Gonzalodo, Zamboanga del Norte police director, told reporters Tuesday in this city that the kidnappers are asking for P20 million ransom in exchange for Capili's release.
As of Wednesday, two hostages are still being held captive in Basilan. They are Chinese nationals Zi Shun Lu alias Oscar Lu, 51, and Bo Shung Tan alias Michael Tan, 27, of Guanzhou Province, mainland China.
They, together with Marques Singson, 36, of Magligue, Isabela City, Basilan, were kidnapped last November 10 by 30 gunmen who swooped down a plywood factory in Marketsite village in Maluso town.
The kidnappers beheaded Singson, whose head was recovered last December 9 at the Isabela City public plaza.
The CMC learned that the kidnappers contacted George Tan, the owner of the plywood factory, three days ago but details of the conversation were not disclosed. (Bong Garcia/Sunnex)