THE Abu Sayyaf Group released Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay Mayor Gemma Adana in Sulu on Tuesday after six months in captivity, the military said.
Adana, who was abducted in Naga last April 6, was found around 6:05 a.m. by religious and community leaders in Indanan, Sulu and brought to the residence of Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, said Capt. Roy Trinidad, chief of staff of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao based in Zamboanga City.
Joint Task Group Sulu commander Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado immediately deployed security and medical units to transport Adana to the Kutang Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Trauma Hospital in Jolo for medical examination prior her transport to Zamboanga City, according to the task group’s spokesman Capt. Antonio Bulao said.
“Initial info revealed that her captors were exhausted of the intense military and police pressure brought by the relentless military operations. The group believed that by releasing any of the kidnap victims, military pressure will ease a little,” Bulao said.
Arrojado said no ransom was given to the bandits in exchange of Adana’s release, but intelligence sources said “millions of pesos in bundles stuffed in a small duffle bag” was turned over to a group of ASG bandits” hours before the governor phoned the military about the release.
Less than an hour before Tan informed the military of Adana’s release, three suspected bandits from a group of fleeing Abu Sayyaf men were captured Tuesday morning by Army Scout Rangers in Indanan town.
Trinidad said the bandits were captured at 6 a.m. in Barangay Bud Taran, Indanan, the place where the ASG released Adana to the villagers who informed Tan about it.
“The three bandits are now in the custody of the Joint Task Group Sulu for further investigation,” Trinidad said. “We’ve already turned them over to the police for further documentation and filing of charges.”
Meanwhile, there is still no word about the three foreigners and a Filipino who were abducted from a beach resort in Samal Island last Sept. 21.