Abu Sayyaf frees 4 Indonesian hostages

LAMITAN CITY, Basilan - Abu Sayyaf gunmen released unharmed four remaining Indonesian captives Wednesday afternoon in a village of Indanan town in Sulu province, according to authorities. 

The victims, who are tugboat crews, were released to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) following negotiations initiated by MNLF chair Nur Misuari. 

There was no immediate report if ransom was paid but the victims were handed over to the MNLF group that was sent by Misuari to fetch the victims about 2 p.m. in a still-unspecified release site. 

However, Intelligence sources on the ground disclosed reports that the victims have been freed since 9 p.m. Tuesday at Barangay Silangkan, Indanan. 

The victims were freed by the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Alden Bagade alias Sayning. 

The group from MNLF escorted and brought the freed victims in the house of Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan Jr. in Jolo town about 3 p.m. on the same day. 

Sulu provincial police director Superintendent Wilfredo Cayat said they were still validating the report. 

The four Indonesians were seized by the Abu Sayyaf gunmen aboard their tugboat in the waters off Sempornah, Sabah almost a month ago and brought the victims in Sulu. 

The Abu Sayyaf group also released the other Sunday the 10 captive Indonesian tugboat crews who were seized last March 26 while sailing across the Malaysian border toward Luzon.