Abu Sayyaf releases 2 policewomen in Sulu

After nearly three weeks, two policewomen who were abducted by Abu Sayyaf bandits had already been freed, Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde confirmed on Wednesday.

"Earlier this noon, ang sabi ng regional director ay na-release na at nasa mga tauhan na [ni] Governor Sakur Tan 'yung dalawang babae and on their way doon sa residence ng Governor at iri-release sila kay provincial director doon," Albayalde said in an ambush interview.

Police Officer 2 Bennie Rose Alvarez and Police Officer 1 Dinah Gumahad were abducted on April 29 along with two others who were also released by the bandits last week.

Albayalde said that aside from the negotiations and continuous offensives of the police and military, the holy month of Ramadan which will begin on Thursday may have also influenced the decision of the bandits to release the police officers.

"Most probably yes, sa tingin ko dahil nga paparating na 'yung Ramadan kaya siguro na-release na 'yung ating mga pulis doon," he said.

The two police officers will undergo medical treatment and debriefing.

"After the medical examination siyempre magkaron ng debriefing 'yan and of course counseling, titingnan natin kung anong nangyari sa kanila, kung talagang sila ba ay nasaktan o hindi. And of course 'yung debriefing napakaimportante no'n para malaman natin kung sino 'yung nag-abduct sa kanila," Albayalde said.

The PNP chief said that they are suspecting that the Abu Sayyaf's "Ajang-Ajang" arm was responsible for the abduction of the two police officers.

"Kaya siguro binitawan na rin sila it's because of the pressure na ginagawa ng military and the PNP. Dahil continuous na 'yung pag-o-operate sa kanila at dito malalaman talaga natin kung ilan itong mga grupo na 'to at kung sino talaga," he said.

"Although we have a suspect group, 'yung tinatawag na Ajang-Ajang doon, at dito ma-confirm natin kung talagang sila ay kumuha sa kanila," he added.

The PNP has yet to provide the details about their release. —KG, GMA News