Kidnappers release son of Comelec's Yusoph

MANILA, Philippines - Days after the suspected leader of a kidnapping group was shot dead, the son of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Elias Yusoph was freed by his captors yesterday afternoon. 

Brig. Gen. Rey Ardo, commander of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, confirmed that Nuraldin Yusoph was released at around 5:30 p.m.

“The victim was released outside Lanao del Sur. I cannot provide other details,” Ardo said.

Maj. Gen. Romeo Lustestica, commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, said the victim was released in Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City.

“Accordingly, the victim was left at a road junction by his abductors and was fetched by his brother Arafat Yusoph,” Lustestica said in a text message.

He said the victim was then brought to the residence of Arafat Yusoph’s father-in-law in Cagayan de Oro.

Ardo attributed the release to the military’s continuous operations against the kidnappers.

“The military has been conducting operations since he (Yusoph) was abducted,” he said. 

Ardo, however, cannot say if ransom was paid to secure the victim’s release.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said the young Yusoph will be escorted by Arafat and SP02 Alex Buray of the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER), which will be responsible for his debriefing.

The Comelec expressed elation over the release but emphasized that the poll body has not compromised its principles and has remained faithful to the no-ransom policy of the government.

“The Comelec is thankful that Nuraldin Yusoph is no longer in the hands of his abductors. However, we are still awaiting details of his release,” said Comelec spokesman James Jimenez.

“Once again, we are thankful and we are looking forward to his being reunited with his loving family,” Jimenez added.

But the release came after the elder Yusoph had an outburst over the government’s inaction to get his son. Yusoph revealed that as Maranao, his relatives have wanted revenge but he held them back as he does “not want to take the law into my hands.”

On June 22, armed men snatched Yusoph, 22, as he emerged from the VicBato Alih mosque in Barangay Sabala Amanao, in Marawi City.

The kidnappers reportedly called the elder Yusoph and demanded that he invalidate the election results in the towns of Malabang, Pilong, Taraka, and Masiu in Lanao del Sur in exchange for the release of his son.

The Comelec, however, refused to give in to the demands. Special polls were held in the four towns following a failure of elections on May 10.

Authorities said Yusoph was kidnapped by lawless elements led by a certain Dimaporo Maniri Dimasacal alias “Delta Force.”

Security forces planned to mount rescue operations if negotiations for Yusoph’s release failed.

The elder Yusoph accused the military of not doing anything to secure the freedom of his son and even threatened to retaliate against those behind the kidnapping. 

Last Wednesday, Dimasacal was killed in an encounter with state troopers in Lanao del Sur. A soldier was killed and four others were injured during the clash.

The kidnap victim was not with the kidnappers when the firefight happened. - Sheila Crisostomo, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Roel Pareño