Abducted engineer in Sulu regains freedom, military says  

An engineer who was abducted along with his wife last February was released Saturday night, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Sunday.

Engineer Bonifacio Salinas Jr. is now undergoing medical examination and debriefing at Camp General Bautista in Jolo, Sulu, radio dzBB's Rodil Vega reported.

The report cited initial information from the AFP indicating Salinas was released in Patikul at 7 p.m. Saturday, and did not say if ransom was paid.

It added the engineer is now in the custody of a local Church official.

In  a separate report, Civil Military Operations officer Capt. Ryan Lacuesta of the Second Marine Brigade in Jolo, Sulu, said Salinas regained his freedom after  53 days in captivity.

He said the victim was released by his captors in Barangay Baunoh Bangkal in Patikul town.

Lacuesta quoted Salinas as saying he was made to walk for two  hours before his captors left him in the Baunoh Bangkal area and instructed him to walk towards the Jolo airport.

Along his way to the airport, Salianas said, some civilians helped him contact the 2nd Marine Brigade headquarters.

Salinas and his wife were  abducted by six armed men on February 16 this year. However, his wife Marie Claire, was released on March 21.

An earlier report on MindaNews said Salinas and his wife were both employees of the Jolo Mainland Water District. — with a report from Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News