Abus free civilian hostage

ZAMBOANGA CITY – One of two civilians kidnapped along with two policewomen by Abu Sayyaf bandits in Patikul, Sulu has been released.

Faizal Hambali was freed on Saturday night in Sitio Daang Puti, Barangay Bangkal and brought to the Joint Task Force Sulu for debriefing, according to a security official, who refused to be identified, saying he is not authorized to make a public statement.

The official said Hambali’s release was not immediately made public, citing “sensitive matters” related to operations to rescue Police Officer 2 Benierose Alvarez, PO1 Dinah Gumahad and Jakosalem Ahamad Blas.

Three bandits were killed and seven soldiers were wounded in a rescue operation on Monday.

Alvarez, Gumahad and Blas were taken in Barangay Liang on April 29.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding a Dutch man, a Vietnamese, three Indonesians and five Filipinos in the jungles of Sulu.

Meanwhile, an Abu Sayyaf bandit with a P600,000 bounty on his head was arrested in Barangay Taberlongan in Maluso, Basilan yesterday.

Unkie Jammang, 50, alias Dams, has a standing warrant of arrest in connection with the kidnapping of plantation workers in Lantawan, Basilan and the Lamitan siege, both in 2001.

Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran of the Zamboanga peninsula police said Jammang was also on the arrest order for kidnapping and serious illegal detention of the Departments of National Defense and the Interior and Local Government.