Teacher rescued from kidnappers in Sulu; 2 arrested

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A public school teacher kidnapped in Sulu last month was rescued on Tuesday.

Rosina Singua, 58, of the Culianan Learning Center in Zamboanga City was rescued by personnel of the police Anti-Kidnapping Group, local police, intelligence units and Marines at a hotel in Barangay Walled City, Port Area, Jolo, according to Col. Pablo Labra, Sulu police director.

Labra said Nurina Jura and Nurjia Asakil, who received the ransom, were arrested.

Singua was reported missing on Sept. 27. She had just attended mass at the Jolo Cathedral when she was reportedly snatched. 

Authorities conducted surveillance and payoff operations after the kidnappers demanded P10 million.

The daughter of the victim, Soraya Bantongan, delivered the money to Jura. 

The money was recovered when Jura was arrested while waiting for a jeepney bound for Indanan.

Asakil, who reportedly took part of the ransom sent through a remittance company on Oct. 3, was arrested in a follow-up operation. 

Police are investigating if those arrested have links with Abu Sayyaf bandits.