Trader freed after 86 days in captivity

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Muslim separatist rebels abandoned a gas station owner they held captive for 86 days, in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur last Thursday, the military said.

Soldiers sent to pursue the kidnappers found Ralph Funda, of Ipil, Zamboanga del Sur, inside a hut in Barangay Tawagan in Labangan town.

Funda, 54, looked pale and haggard, wearing worn-out denim pants, and his hands were still tied behind his back, said Brig. Gen. Narciso Abaya, commander of the Army's First Infantry Division.

Abaya said Funda's family agreed to pay P1.2 million to the rebels, but the payoff was aborted after soldiers located the hut where the victim had been held by his captors. The abductors initially demanded P2.5 million.

Funda was abducted by MILF recruits led by Asimuddin Akiddin Abdusalam in front of his Ipil home last Nov. 17.

Authorities are hopeful that three other captives will be released soon as negotiations continue.

They are bakery owner Edwin Endozo, 34, bank teller Patrick Viray and businesswoman Juanita Lee.

In another development, an employee of the education department was snatched and freed after 12 hours in Davao del Sur last Wednesday.

Reports reaching Camp Crame said Romeo Jairal, 41, told police he was abducted by two men in front of the Digos market. Blindfolded, he was grilled on his alleged links with a drug syndicate. He later abandoned in Maa, Davao City.