Ten Indonesian hostages freed by Abu Sayyaf in Sulu

A file picture of members of the Abu Sayyaf group.

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Ten Indonesians were freed by their Abu Sayyaf captors in Sulu on Sunday noon.

Supt. Wilfredo Cayat, police chief for Sulu, confirmed the release of the 10 Indonesians, but could still not give details.

“We were informed there were anonymous people who dropped the Indonesians just in front of the house of Sulu Governor (Abdusakur) Toto Tan (II),” Cayat said.

“They were brought inside, they were fed. Governor Tan called me and they turned over the 10 to our custody. We are preparing now to bring the 10 to Zamboanga and turn them to their consular official,” Cayat told the Inquirer by phone.

Cayat said the freed captives were crew members of a tugboat. They were abducted off the waters of Sulu on March 28.

Police earlier identified the tugboat crew members Peter Tonson, Julian Philip, Alvian Elvis Peti, Mahmud, Surian Syah, Surianto, Wawan Saputria, Bayu Oktavianto, Reynaldi and Wendi Raknadian.

But a source said a P50-million ransom was paid to the kidnappers.

“They were supposed to be freed between Friday and Saturday somewhere in Luuk town,” the source said. – Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network