Sayyaf releases Sulu engineer

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines   â€“ Abu Sayyaf militants freed unharmed on Saturday night an employee of the Jolo Water District who they had kept in captivity for more than 50 days, authorities said.

Engineer Bonifacio Salinas was released by his captors at around 7 p.m. Saturday in the vicinity of Barangay Baunoh Bangkal in Patikul town, according to Capt. Ryan Lacuesta, spokesman of the 2nd Marine Brigade.

Lacuesta said Salinas sought the help of the villagers who in turn alerted the Marines.

He quoted Salinas as saying that he and his captors walked for about two hours from a mountainous area in Sitio Kanjimao, Barangay Buhanginan to Barangay Baunoh Bangkal where he was left and instructed to walk toward the direction of the Jolo airport.

Salinas, who was described as tired and haggard, was immediately brought to the military trauma hospital for medical checkup.

Salinas and his wife Marie Claire were snatched by six armed men last Feb. 16, but she was released on March 21.  

Lacuesta said there was no word if ransom was paid for the engineer’s release. Earlier reports said the Abu Sayyaf had demanded P3 million.