Kidnappers release 2 fishermen

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Two crewmembers of a fishing boat seized along with their captain in the waters off Basilan on Wednesday have been released by their kidnappers.

Reports said the kidnappers freed Romeo Rubio, 52, and Wenie Pandiag, 41, after learning that their families could not afford to pay ransom.

The kidnappers did not free boat captain Ronnie Bancale.

Rubio and Pandiag told Pitogo police chief Inspector Orlyn Leyte that they were freed on Wednesday. Their captors did not harm them.

They said the  kidnappers gave them money for their fare. They arrived in this city from Jolo on Thursday.

The victims took a passenger vehicle to Pitogo in Zamboanga del Sur to be reunited with their families. 

Police said there was no report about Bancale.

The three were brought to Sulu by their captors, who initially demanded P500,000 ransom for each of the hostages.

The amount had been raised to P1 million.