Abu Sayyaf bandits free female captive in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Abu Sayyaf bandits released a female captive in Patikul, Sulu, before dawn Monday.

Capt. Ma. Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson of the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), identified the released victim Nursalyn Ahamudin Alih. She was freed by her Abu Sayyaf captors in Sitio Kantitap, Barangay Danag at around 1 a.m.

Muyuela said Alih's release came barely a day after she and her companion, Shekinah Hope Tan Hamsain, were forcibly taken while on board a motorcycle heading towards Barangay Taglibi.

The bandits have yet to release Hamsain.

Two of the suspects have been identified by the authorities as Ramsid Sali and a certain Injie.

Meanwhile, the military could not say if Alih's family paid for her release.

Alih, 26, was recovered by the Marines and brought to the military headquarters at the Camp Teodulfo Hospital, where she was given medical check-up and reunited with her family.

Authorities earlier said that Alih and her companion were snatched by the bandits to be used as human shields to slow the the pursuing government troops.