Abu Sayyaf frees social worker in Sulu
ZAMBOANGA CITY - Suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen released Tuesday night the remaining Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD) worker it held captive in Sulu province, police said Thursday.
Sulu provincial police director Senior Superintendent Abrham Orbita said Robert Saputalo was released in Barangay Danag, Patikul town at around 10 p.m. Tuesday after six days in captivity.
Orbita said the victim was intercepted by police personnel at the vicinity of Barangay Kagay, Talipao.
Saputalo was later turned over the to the police provincial office and brought to the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) in downtown Jolo for medical check-up before he was reunited with his family.
Saputalo’s three companions Lerna Jura and couple Antonio and Nurhani Sicangco were recovered last week following interventions from the local leaders.
The DSWD workers were abducted Thursday last week while conducting survey of poor families for the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Barangay Sinumaan, Talipao town.
Orbita said there was no information if ransom was paid for the release of Saputalo. He said the release could have been due to the pressure from both the local government and security forces.
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