ASG frees kidnapped Sulu mechanic

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Abu Sayyaf gunmen freed unharmed its captive Sulu provincial chief mechanic Wednesday night in a village in Patikul, Sulu following negotiations and alleged payment of ransom, police said.

The victim, Ronald Pelegrin, 36, held for almost two weeks, was released and abandoned by his captors in the outskirt of Barangay Danag.

The Abu Sayyaf seized Pelegrin and his younger cousin Renante Avilla on August 15 from their quarters before their horrified wives. 

Avilla was shot and killed after he fought and refused to be taken hostage. 

During his release, Pelegrin said he boarded a passenger jeepney and asked the driver to bring him to the Sulu provincial engineering office in the downtown Jolo where he met his executive engineer Munir Bahi. 

Bahi immediately informed the police anti-kidnapping group of the release of Pelegrin who immediately assisted the victim in transporting him back to this city aboard a passenger ferry which arrived from Jolo about 5 a.m. Thursday. 

Pelegrin was subsequently brought to the headquarters of the anti-kidnapping group in Camp Battalia in Cawa-Cawa R.T Lim Boulevard and provided with medical check-up before he was debriefed by the authorities and reunited with his families.

Pelegrin said he was treated well and asked to convert to Islam during his captivity and was not aware if negotiation was taking place for his release.

“They just escorted me out from the mountain and left me on the village and said I am free,” Pelegrin said.

He said he will never go back to work in Sulu. 

Police and military could not confirm nor deny if ransom was paid for the release of Pelegrin.

However, a source, who was working closely in the negotiation, disclosed that a huge amount of money was paid and two automatic rifles were given to the kidnappers in exchange for the release of the victim. 

The victim’s family earlier disclosed the abductors had called up and made the P15-million ransom demand which they described as impossible for the family to raise. 

The source added that the abduction of Pelegrin was a result of the failure of the provincial engineer’s office to pay protection money demanded by the Abu Sayyaf group.

The official added that the same reason also led the kidnapping last June of Sulu construction foreman Remegio Lingayan and his brother-in-law Joselito Gonzales, who was allegedly killed during the military operation. 

Lingayan was freed July 27 after an alleged payment of ransom which authorities denied citing the government's no ransom policy.