Kidnapped teacher freed in Patikul

An elementary school teacher abducted in Patikul, Sulu, Wednesday afternoon has been released Thursday morning, a military spokesman said.

Captain Ryan Lacuesta of the 2nd Marine brigade said victim Alrashid Jahang of Taglibi Elementary School has been released by his captors around 9 a.m. at Brgy. Kadday Mampallam, also in Patikul.

He said Jahang was released through the effort of the victim's relatives and local government officials who talked to the relatives of the alleged abductors.

“Negotiation ito between the relatives of the victims and yung mga relatives ng mga allegedly na kumuha sa kanya kahapon, according dito sa mga information natin kilala ng mga relatives nung victim yung captors ng biktima,” he told reporters in a phone interview.

Asked if ransom was paid, Lacuesta said he has no confirmed information on the matter yet.

He said the authorities are now conducting follow-up operations to arrest the kidnappers.

“[Despite the release of the victim] they have liability for that, they will have to be held accountable dun sa ginawa nila. Ongoing yung ginagawa nating hot pursuit operation sa mga ito,” he said.

Lacuesta added that they are now coordinating with the Philippine National Police to come up with a strategy to stop kidnapping activities in Jolo.

Jahang was riding a motorcycle when forcibly taken by suspected members of the bandit group Abu Sayyaf and allegedly led by Aljini Mundoc, alias Ninok Sapari in Sitio Baunoh in Barangay Liang, Patikul. — Amita Legaspi/KBK, GMA News