Sayyaf frees last social worker

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Suspected Abu Sayyaf militants released on Tuesday night the last of four social workers of the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD) who they snatched in Talipao, Sulu last July 17, authorities said. 

Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbita, Sulu police director, said Robert Saputalo was freed in Barangay Danag, Patikul town at around 10 p.m. Tuesday but police found him walking in Barangay Kagay in Talipao. 

Saputalo was later turned over to the provincial police and brought to the Integrated Provincial Health Office in Jolo for medical checkup before he was reunited with his family.

Saputalo’s colleagues Ler-na Jura and couple Antonio and Nurhani Sicangco were recovered last week following intervention by local officials.

The four social workers were seized while conducting a survey of poor families in Barangay Sinuman in Talipao for the government’s conditional cash transfer program or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Orbita said there was no word if ransom was paid for Saputalo’s release, but he believes that the kidnappers apparently felt pressure to free the social workers.

Due to the kidnapping, the government withheld the cash grants to thousands of poor families to ensure the safety of the social workers. Talipao officials then exerted pressure on the militants.

“We did not want to put anyone else in a very risky situation,” DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman earlier said.– With AP