AFP confirms release of Abu captive

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Abu Sayyaf bandits released a Malaysian-Chinese man on Tuesday allegedly after payment of “board and lodging” in Indanan, Sulu, security officials said yesterday.

Army Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command, would not comment on the ransom payment, but said Kun Mun Hua (passport name), alias Chan Sai Chuin, was released in Sitio Timahu, Barangay Tubig Dakula at about 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Muyuela said Hua’s release came following negotiations conducted by Hadji Mamih Sangkula and his brother Hadji Mandi Sangkula with the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.

But security officials based in Malaysia said some three million Malaysian ringgit was reportedly paid as “board and lodging.”

Muyuela said Hua was taken by Malaysian and Filipino emissaries early Wednesday to a speedboat that left for Sandakan, Sabah. He was reunited with his wife Chin Pek Nyen.

Hua, 32, was snatched on June 17 at his farm in Kunak. He was held for 182 days in Sulu.

Meanwhile, Malaysian authorities disclosed that a mediator was also working for the release of Malaysian police officer Kons Zakiah Aleip, who was snatched in July in Sabah.