Hostaged workers freed due to gov't counter-pressure

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The provincial government of Basilan revealed that Abu Sayyaf kidnappers were pressured into releasing their four victims safely Thursday night in Albarka town.

Basilan Vice Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakalahul said the kidnappers, led by Nur Hassan Jamiri, were given a “counter ultimatum” against the ultimatum they issued that was supposed to end yesterday.

The bandits earlier threatened to increase the ransom for the hostages and cut off all negotiations.

“We told them that the entire province will plunge into blackout and total darkness if they will insist on the ransom and harm their captives,” said Sakalahul, chairman of provincial crisis committee.

Alton Angeles, who negotiated with the kidnappers and fetched the victims when they were released Thursday night, presented brothers Emilberto, 52, and Alberto Singson, 33, and Paul and Birin Herowig, aged 35 and 27 respectively  – service crews of Basilan Electric Cooperative (Baselco) – to their general manager Alfredo Oyao and Sakalahul during a briefing at their office in Isabela City, Basilan.

Sakalahul said he also warned the kidnappers that the police and Marines would take over to resolve the crisis if the hostages were not released before Friday.         –Roel Pareño, AP