Abu Sayyaf frees trader in Sulu after 70 days

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Abu Sayyaf guerrillas have released a department store owner after 70 days of captivity without the payment of any ransom.

But relatives of Robustiano Hablo Jr., 36, said they paid the kidnappers an undisclosed amount for his "board and lodging."

Earlier reports said the kidnappers were demanding P3 million for Hablo's freedom.

Hablo was turned over to Undersecretary Abdulrahman Jamasali of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and a representative of Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan near the boundary of Patikul and Talipao towns in Sulu on Saturday morning.

"We picked him up after traveling for 40 minutes from Jolo town," said Jamasali.

The victim, who appeared weak and haggard, was first taken to the Sulu Provincial General Hospital for medical check-up, according to military spokesman Maj. Salih Indanan.

An Army helicopter later flew Hablo to Camp Navarro General Hospital in Lower Calarian, where he was to undergo further examination and treatment.

"Hablo, who was held captive in Sulu's hinterlands, walked his way home," said Marine commander Brig. Gen. Orlando Buenaventura.

Tan accompanied Hablo to this city aboard a commercial aircraft yesterday.

Tan, along with Jamasali and Jolo Mayor Rhasdi Abubakar, negotiated with the kidnappers for a month so Hablo could be freed.

"We did not give in to the demand of the kidnappers," Tan said. "It is the government's policy not to give in to the demand for ransom."

He asked the Marines and the Sulu police to go after the kidnappers "to finally end the incidents of kidnapping in the province."

Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Edgardo Espinosa has sent the Marines in pursuit of Hablo's kidnappers, who are believed to have been led by one Galib Andang and a certain Mujib Susukan.

"Our troops have already pinpointed the general area," Espinosa said. "We cannot just use massive force. We might alarm them and they might be able to escape."

Hablo was on his way home when heavily armed men snatched him near the main gate of the 3rd Marine headquarters in Patikul, Sulu on Nov. 20 last year.

In an interview with reporters after his release, Hablo said the kidnappers had treated him well and that he was given the same food that they were eating.

"They gave me food and fruits," he said. "They treated me well. Maybe all they wanted was money."

He described how they traveled a long route by foot to be able to reach the rendezvous point with Jamali near the boundary of Patikul town

"We kept moving from one place to another to elude government troops," he said.

Later they stopped at a clearing and he was surpised to know that he would be released.

"They told me, `You're free now,' " he said.