Sayyaf frees Islamic center clerk in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Abu Sayyaf released before dawn yesterday in Jolo, Sulu a male clerk of an Islamic center in the Western Mindanao University after his family reportedly paid ransom, a military official said.

Col. Jose Joriel Cenabre, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade and Task Force Sulu, said Alrashid Maha Rojas was released at 4:05 a.m. yesterday at a government wharf in Jolo.

Rojas, 56, was seized by Abu Sayyaf bandits posing as military operatives from his house in Barangay Campo Islam here last June 22 and brought to Sulu aboard a speedboat.