Abus free construction foreman

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – Abu Sayyaf bandits released a foreman of a construction company they held captive for 52 days, after the victim’s family reportedly paid P500,000 for “board and lodging” in Indanan town, Sulu on Sunday.

Remigio Lingayan, 50, was released in the village of Bunot at around 12 noon and was handed over to an emissary of the construction company.

Lingayan, who was presented briefly to local journalists, was brought to a hospital in Jolo for check-up before he was flown to this city where he was reunited with his family.

He did not mention any ransom payment and merely thanked the people who helped secure his release.

Lingayan and his brother-in-law Joselito Gonzales were seized last June 5 in Sitio Baunoh, Indanan.

Gonzales was killed during an encounter in Patikul town between the military and the bandit group. 

“We were running away with our captors as the military was dropping bombs and Gonzales was hit in the abdomen,” Lingayan said.

He said the body of Gonzales was not recovered.

He and his captors moved around a lot, he said, as the military pursued the bandits.