Female Basilan captive escapes

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Moro rebels belonging to a “lost command” with links to the Abu Sayyaf lost its lone female hostage, an employee of a micro-finance firm, after she escaped Saturday night in a village in Sumisip, Basilan, a military official said.

Brig. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, commander of the 1st Marine Brigade, said Leah Patris dashed to her freedom at around 10:30 p.m. as she took advantage while her captors were trying to evade Marines pursuing them.

“She fled to the mangroves in Sitio Manggal and tried to seek help from the civilians. However, because it was nighttime and people were already asleep so nobody noticed her pleadings, until she was recovered,” Guerrero said.

Guerrero said residents eventually found Patris in Barangay Oval where Sumisip Mayor Saber Asarul fetched her.

The military said the continuous pursuit operations gave Patris the chance to escape from her captors led by Amir Mingkong.

Senior Superintendent Salik Macapantar, Basilan police director, said Patris was haggard and pale when she was recovered in the village of Oval and escorted to the headquarters of the 1st Marine Brigade where she was formally presented to Basilan Gov. Jum Akbar and subsequently reunited with her family.

Patris and two other employees of the Kasanyangan Foundation Inc., a Maluso-based lending entity – Ahmad Ilang and Nasra Mudjain - were seized in Sumisip town last Feb. 3. Patris’ companions were subsequently freed.

“At least now the problem is getting lesser, but our efforts will not stop to recover the two fishermen,” Sakalahul said.

The vice governor was referring to Ronnie Nabie, 25, and Reynante Saquen, 30, who were snatched by armed men while fishing off Sibago Island in Basilan last April 4.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa ordered the Basilan police to crack down on kidnapping groups. – With Dennis Carcamo, James Mananghaya and Cecille Suerte Felipe