Sayyaf releases captive male clerk in Jolo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - - Abu Sayyaf gunmen released unharmed its captive male clerk in the downtown of Jolo, Sulu Wednesday dawn after the family reportedly paid ransom, a military official said.

Col. Jose Joriel Cenabre, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade and Task Force Sulu, said kidnap victim Alrashid Maha Rojas was released about 4:05 a.m. by his captors at the vicinity of the Chinese Pier, government wharf in Jolo.

Cenabre said the intelligence units of the Tactical Operation Squadron of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 (MBLT) that intercepted information about the impending release proceeded to the wharf and found he victim alone.

“The victim was retrieved and brought to the trauma center of the military and was diagnosed to be [healthy]. However, he needs to undergo exact medical check-up,” Cenabre said.

Rojas, 56, clerk of the Islamic Study and Research Center based inside the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) in Zamboanga City, was abducted by the Abu Sayyaf kidnap for ransom cell disguising as military operatives at his residence in Barangay Campo Islam last June 22 and brought to Sulu aboard a speedboat.

Other security officials disclosed that the family allegedly paid an unspecified amount of ransom in exchange for the release of Rojas.

Reports earlier also disclosed that the kidnappers were demanding P20-million ransom for the victim's freedom.

The kidnappers of Rojas was led by Idang Susukan whose group linked with the Abu Sayyaf group based in Talipao and were said to  be the orphans  of slain Abu Sayyaf leaders.