Sri Lankan peace worker freed

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Aggressive police and military operations forced the Abu Sayyaf bandits to free a Sri Lankan peace worker they had held captive for more than three months, in Basilan Wednesday night, authorities said.

Basilan Vice Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakalahul said the Abu Sayyaf group of Furuji Indama released Umar Jaleel, 38, a volunteer of the Brussels-based Nonviolent Peaceforce, in a village in Ungkaya Pukan town at around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Jaleel was seized last Feb. 13 from his headquarters in Lamitan City, Basilan and brought to Tipo-Tipo.

Atif Hameed, country director of Nonviolent Peaceforce, said no ransom was paid and that Jaleel’s release was the result of direct negotiations.

“Overall it’s a non-violent release. No ransom was paid, no penny was spent,” he said.

Hameed said though they did not receive any ransom demand, adding, “It is also our policy of not paying ransom.”

But Hameed said they were still establishing what could be the motive behind Jaleel’s abduction.

“I don’t know what were the reasons (for the kidnapping). We are still trying to figure it out,” he said.

Hameed quoted Jaleel as saying that his kidnappers belong to the Alharakatul Al-Islamiyah (Father of the Sword), the Islamic name of the Abu Sayyaf.

Following the abduction, Hameed said they are now analyzing whether to continue their peace mission in Basilan.

He said they could have indirect presence in the island province but in coordination with the local authorities.

Jaleel is among 17 volunteers of the Nonviolent Peaceforce working in Mindanao where they are trying to improve relations between Christians and Muslims.

During his captivity, Jaleel was reportedly monitored to be teaching the Abu Sayyaf, he being an ustadz (Islamic preacher), Sakalahul said.

Sakalahul said Rashid Iclaman, board director of the Bangsamoro Development Agency of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, helped secure Jaleel’s release.

“He was able to penetrate the area and convinced the kidnappers to release the victim,” he said.

Jaleel was recovered by elements of the Ungkaya Pukan police and brought Wednesday night to an undisclosed safehouse in this city where he underwent debriefing and medication.

Senior Superintendent Salik Macapantar, Basilan police director, said Jaleel was very weak when they fetched him in Tipo-Tipo.

“He said the police and Marines were very good, (and the) Abu Sayyaf (was) very bad,” Macapantar quoted Jaleel as saying.

He said Jaleel drank his first cup of coffee after 110 days in captivity and thanked the authorities for his release.

Rear Admiral Alexander Pama, commander of Task Force Trillium, said Jaleel, now confined at the hospital of the Western Mindanao Command, was physically stable, except for a swollen thigh muscle.

Pama said pursuit operations against the kidnappers would continue for the rescue of the five remaining hostages in Basilan – a female lending employee, two fishermen, and three public school teachers.

Last May 26, three Zamboanga City teachers – Janet de los Reyes, Freires Quizon and Rafael Mayonada – were freed in Mohammad Ajul town. – With Dennis Carcamo, Cecille Suerte Felipe