Abus release kidnapped mining exec

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Abu Sayyaf gunmen released Tuesday night a mining executive they kidnapped in Indanan town after an alleged payment of P1.3-million ransom.

An unidentified woman reportedly picked up Priscillano Garcia somewhere in Indanan at 6:30 p.m., Capt. Antonio Bulao, information officer of Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS), said yesterday. 

Garcia, finance officer of a mining company operating in Tumbagaan Island off Languyan in Tawi-Tawi, was taken from a resort in Bungao town on May 3 and brought to Sulu. 

JTGS commander Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado said the victim was brought to the Camp Teodulfo Bautista Hospital for checkup and debriefing before he was brought here, where he took a flight to Manila.

Arrojado could not confirm the ransom payment, saying only that Abu Sayyaf bandits were behind the kidnapping. 

He said the Abu Sayyaf bandits might have been pressured to release the victim because of the military operations against them.