Sulu teacher freed after ‘token’ ransom payment

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines —  A public school teacher kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu has been released reportedly after the payment of “token” ransom. 

“A little amount was given to the kidnappers as token…for cigarette only,” a source close to the family of the victim said yesterday. 

Marjorie Abdul, 54, head teacher at the Liang Elementary School in Patikul, was taken from the school at around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday. She was released at around 9:30 p.m on the same day.

Personnel of the Sulu police and Joint Task Force Sulu refused to  give details on the release of the victim. 

Abdul was taken by members of the Ajang-ajang group of the Abu Sayyaf. She reportedly sought her transfer to another school following the incident. 

Another public school teacher identified as Doris Hamsirani, 45, was also kidnapped on March 7. She was reportedly freed also after paying a minimal amount of ransom last Tuesday.

The police and military said operations to neutralize Abu Sayyaf bandits and rescue their remaining hostages are ongoing.

A  Dutch man, a Vietnamese, three Indonesians and  six Filipinos remain in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf.