Malaysian-Chinese businessman escapes Abu Sayyaf captors

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A Malaysian-Chinese businessmen abducted by Abu Sayyaf militants late last year escaped from his captors Tuesday morning, a military official said.

According to Col. Jose Joriel Cenabre, commander of the Task Force Sulu, local police led by Senior Police Officer 1 Baltazar Swabi spotted the victim, Chong Wei Jie, 26, wandering alone in the village of Pasil, Sulu province.

"The victim appeared to be haggard and tired when he was recovered by the police forces on patrol," Cenabre said. Chong said he escaped while his captors were busy.

He said that Sawabi immediately brought the victim to the Sulu police provincial headquarters. A local hospital provided medical check-up.

Chong and his cousin Chong Wei Fei were abducted by gunmen on Nov. 13, 2012 at a  plantation farm in Lahad Datu, Sabah. Chong and Fei were manager and assistant manager, respectively, of the plantation. The kidnappers then brought the cousins to Sulu.

Chong told the police that his cousin had died from an illness while they were in captivity. Cenabre said that Jie will be  taken to the Malaysian Embassy in Manila and will be flown out from Sulu some time Tuesday.

Sulu provincial police chief Abraham Orbita said that the Chongs' families were unable to pay a ransom of $230,000 that later was lowered to $46,000.

Abu Sayyaf is known for ransom kidnappings and is listed as a terrorist organization.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbita, acting director of Sulu Povincial Police, said efforts continued for the recovery of the remaining five hostages believed to be also held separately in the mountains of Sulu.

The captives include two Filipino sisters Nadjoua and Linda Bansil, both independent filmmakers; Jordanian Baker Atyani, and two European tourists who were abducted in Tawi-Tawi last 2012 and believed to be also held in Sulu. -  Roel Pareño,  Xinhua, and the Associated Press