Kidnapped vice mayor released

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A Tawi-Tawi vice mayor, believed kidnapped by a drug syndicate, was freed by his captors the other day, police said.

Chief Superintendent Acmad Omar, police director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said Sitangkai Vice Mayor Kuyoh Pajiji was freed at Mandanas Island, near the island-town of Sitangkai.

Local officials said no ransom was paid for Pajiji’s release. His abductors earlier had demanded P3 million.

The military did not pursue his captors since he was seized last June 8 to give way to negotiations by Tawi-Tawi officials. — Roel Pareño