ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines – Abu Sayyaf militants freed last Thursday afternoon a businesswoman they had held captive in Sulu for 131 days, but still kept her business partner hostage, authorities said.
Col. Jose Joriel Cenabre, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu and the 2nd Marine Brigade, could not immediately confirm if ransom was paid for the release of Nancy Gonato, 39, who was freed in downtown Jolo in Sulu.
Still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf is Gonato’s business partner and relative, Ronnie Sandagon, a former municipal councilor of Naga town, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Gonato and Sandagon were seized last April 7 at their buying station at the Taha private wharf in Baliwasan here by Abu Sayyaf militants who pretended to be lobster suppliers. They were dragged into two pump boats that sped toward Sulu.
The kidnappers, believed to be led by Yazzer Igasan, alias Tuan Yah and Sibih, brought the two to the coastal areas of Barangays Mabahay and Ipil in Talipao town in Sulu.
Gonato, according to reports, was escorted by an Abu Sayyaf emissary who freed her in downtown Jolo.
Cenabre said Gonato was later presented to Sulu Gov. Abdulsakur Tan before she was brought to the military’s trauma hospital in Jolo for medical checkup.
Gonato was flown yesterday morning by a military helicopter to Edwin Andrews Air Base here where she was reunited with her family. She declined to be interviewed on her ordeal while in captivity.
Authorities said Sandagon is still alive, but there is no word on the ransom being demanded for his release. – With Jaime Laude