Kidnapped Fil-Am released

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – Kidnappers freed unharmed yesterday a Filipino-American after holding him captive for three months in a village in Lanao del Sur. 

Police Director Felicisimo Khu, chief of Directorate for Integrated Police Operation (DIPO) Western Mindanao, identified the freed victim as Milton Taylor, also known as Sam Taylor, temporary resident of Cagayan de Oro City.

Khu said Taylor was released by unidentified captors at around 2 p.m. yesterday in a village between the border of Piagapo town and Marawi City in Lanao del Sur following negotiation and pressure from military and police forces.

He said the Federal Bureau of Investigation also assisted government security forces in securing the release of the victim. 

Khu, however, did not comment on whether ransom money was paid for the release of the victim. 

Taylor, who was kidnapped on Jan. 12 in Cagayan de Oro City, was initially reported as missing.                                     

After his release, he was immediately brought to Cagayan de Oro. He would be eventually sent home by the US embassy in Manila.