Abu Sayyaf frees 10-year-old captive
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A 10-year-old boy kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf bandits was released on Tuesday after almost three months in captivity.
Police said Zaide Khan Pasil was released at about 7:45 a.m. in Patikul town.
Pasil was turned over to his father Zaide, the head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government office in Sulu, and his uncle following negotiations initiated by their neighbor identified only as Faizal.
Police said they have no immediate information on whether ransom was paid in exchange for the boy’s release.
Pasil was snatched from his residence in Barangay San Raymundo in Jolo.
With Pasil’s release, the number of Abu Sayyaf captives is down to seven, including a Dutch man and a Vietnamese.
Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, expressed confidence that the remaining hostages would be rescued.
“We are optimistic and there’s a big possibility that ... by the end of this year we will have a positive development... Our relentless efforts saw the recovery of the victims,” Pabayo said.
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