Kidnappers free teacher in Zamboanga Sibugay

ZAMBOANGA CITY - After almost three months in captivity, a public school teacher was freed by a still unidentified kidnap-for-ransom group in Ipil town, Zamboanga Sibugay province on Tuesday night.

The victim identified as Cathy Mae Casipong, 23, walked to her freedom at about 6:30 p.m. and boarded a tricycle out of Barangay Sanito in Ipil town. She was later recovered by the elements of the Philippine Army's 102nd Infantry Brigade.

Casipong was abducted by the kidnappers last December 18, while on her way to a school in Sibugtok Island off Barangay Limaong, east coast village of this city.

Police and military officials disclosed that the kidnappers allowed Casipong to board a tricycle, which transported her to the military headquarters where she was reunited with her family.

The parents of Casipong brought her back in this city also on Tuesday night.

Authorities said that the kidnap victim will be provided with free follow-up medical checkup.

Pedro Natividad, City Schools Division superintendent, confirmed that Casipong is already reunited with her family but offered no further details of the release.

Natividad said they will allow Casipong to take a much-needed rest before asking her to return to teaching. He said Casipong would be reassigned to another area.

The police and the military, meanwhile, would not confirm or deny the family's claim that they paid the kidnappers P300,000 for the release of Casipong.