THE government employee, who was kidnapped more than four months ago along with his wife and son, was now released by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the province of Sulu, the military said Wednesday, November 16.
Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) spokesman Filemon Tan Jr. said Elmer Romoc, a government employee of Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay, was released on Monday, November 14, in Jolo, Sulu.
Romoc was kidnapped along with his businesswoman wife, Nora, and seven-year-old son, Ricson, in the evening of August 5 from their residence in the village of Kulisap, Payao.
Nora was released on August 23 in Sulu following payment of ransom given to the bandits but Nora’s son remains in captivity.
After Romoc' release, he boarded a passenger ferry from Jolo to Zamboanga City.
His family and the police Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) personnel fetched him early Tuesday at the port of Zamboanga.
Tan said Romoc was taken to the AKG office for physical check-up and debriefing.
The police have monitored that Romoc’s wife paid P1 million ransom on Sunday to an unidentified negotiator.
Tan said the Romoc family was seized by members of the ASG led by Jaber Susukan and Adore Abdulla.
Tan said they are conducting intelligence monitoring and coordinating with the AKG to determine the whereabouts of Ricson.
The bandits are still holding 13 captives which include five Malaysians, four Filipinos, two Indonesians, a Dutchman, and a Korean.