Abu Sayyaf abandons Sulu businesswoman

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A Filipino-Chinese businesswoman held captive by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu for two months was released early yesterday, police said.

Fifty-eight-year-old retailer Rosalie Lao was abandoned in Barangay Kaunayan, Patikul town before dawn as troops were closing in on her captors.

Lao was abducted last Jan. 28 while on her way home in Barangay Kakuyagan in Jolo, the capital town.

Jolo police chief Julasirim Kasim said Lao appeared thin and haggard but reported that she was not harmed during her captivity.

She told police that about 20 Abu Sayyaf militants held her captive but she could not identify them as they wore hoods in her presence.

Marine Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban, chief of the anti-terror Joint Task Force Comet, said Lao was presented to Sulu Gov. Satur Tan before he was reunited with her family.

Tan said Lao experienced “more of physical and psychological trauma” during her captivity.

Tan said the Abu Sayyaf band led by Albader Parad was behind the abduction.

Kasim said the Abu Sayyaf was also behind the kidnapping of six Muslim men on Wednesday in Sulu.

The men were kidnapped from a minibus in the town of Maimbung but were released later in the day after ransom was paid.

Kasim said the families of the victims have refused to file charges against the kidnappers out of fear.

The Abu Sayyaf is a group of Muslim extremists based in Mindanao who have links to the al-Qaeda network, according to US and local intelligence reports.

The Abu Sayyaf has carried out the worst terror attacks in Philippine history, including mass kidnappings of Christians and foreigners. Two American hostages died in Abu Sayyaf custody after one such abduction in 2001.

Earlier this month, the US Embassy warned that extremists could be plotting to kidnap Americans and other foreigners in the south.     – Roel Pareño