Zamboanga Norte mayor’s son freed by Abu Sayyaf captors

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A son of Mayor Eddie Quimbo of Labason, Zamboanga del Norte, who was kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf bandits in September 2017, was reunited with his family on Sunday.

The military said businessman Jelster Ed Tiu Quimbo, 28, was released by his captors in Barangay Anuling, Patikul, Sulu. He was turned over to former Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan Sr. before he was presented to personnel of the Joint Task Force Sulu. 

Quimbo picked up Jelster at the Western Mindanao Command headquarters.  

“I would like to thank President Duterte, (former special assistant to the President) Bong Go, (former) secretary (Jesus) Dureza and the military leadership for... the safe release of my son,” Quimbo said. 

“I have been advising (my son) to lose weight and it seems going up to the mountain did it,” he added in jest. 

Jelster said he experienced at least 10 encounters between his captors and the military during his captivity.

“There was an instance when I thought it was my last... we were sleeping when... we were attacked and bombarded with cannons by the military,” he said. 

Quimbo claimed no ransom was paid in exchange for Jeltser’s release, but admitted giving an unspecified amount of money for “expenses.” 

The military said three foreigners and three Filipinos remain in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf.