Abus release 8-year-old captive

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Abu Sayyaf bandits released an eight-year-old-girl they had been holding captive for three months in Sulu on Wednesday, security officials said yesterday.

Police said Jewel Mariel Nique was freed at about 2:30 p.m. in Jolo, the capital town of Sulu, allegedly after ransom was paid.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, chief of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office, confirmed the release but could not provide details on the matter.

A source said Nique was turned over by the kidnappers to her family at the Jolo wharf. He, however, cannot determine the amount of ransom reportedly paid.        

Nique was snatched by four men at their store in Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay last July 25. She was brought to Sulu to be with the other hostages of the bandits.

Nique’s release came almost two weeks after the Abu Sayyaf freed German couple Stefan Viktor Okonek and Henrike Dielen, allegedly after payment of P250-million in ransom.

Cabunoc said the military continues with its pursuit operation to rescue the remaining hostages. The military earlier said that about 14 hostages remain captive by several kidnapping groups run by the Abu Sayyaf, but could not determine how many are held in Sulu.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang flew to Jolo yesterday morning to assess the campaign against the bandit group.