Sulu officials hopeful trader freed this week

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Sulu authorities are optimistic that one of three men held captive by suspected Abu Sayyaf guerrillas would be released this week.

A provincial official, who requested anonymity, said businessman Edwin Indoso, who was snatched in Jolo last Jan. 7, is set to be freed this week depending on the deal his family and kidnappers will agree on.

The official, however, could not say whether Indoso's family will be willing to pay the P2-million ransom the kidnappers have demanded.

Superintendent Candido Casimoro, Sulu police director, said Indoso's captors, led by one Commander Galib Andang, have stood firm on their ransom demand.

Besides Indoso, still being held captive are Patrick Viray, a teller of the Allied Bank branch in Jolo, and Andres Amante, a bookkeeper of the Federation of Family Planning of the Philippines, a non-government organization.

Viray's abductors are also demanding a P2-million ransom.

Last week, Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan threatened to suspend the mayors of Talipao, Patikul and Indanan towns if the captives are not freed within 10 days.

"I mean business when I told them about the suspension...I'm not saying that they are involved in the kidnappings, but as executives of their respective towns, they should know the things that are happening there. They should help the government solve this problem," Tan said.