Jolo resto owner freed

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Suspected Abu Sayyaf rebels freed before dawn yesterday a 43-year-old restaurant owner who was seized in Jolo, Sulu last April 10, a military official said.

Brig. Gen. Alexander Aleo, chief of Task Force Comet, quoted Jolo Mayor Suod Tan as saying that Renato Yanga, owner of the Top Spot restaurant, was released without ransom.

The captors of Yanga, who was held in the jungles of Patikul, Sulu, initially demanded P5-million ransom, but Tan rejected it.

"Perhaps, the kidnappers got tired of holding him or maybe got pressured because of our continued pursuit," Aleo said. — Roel Pareño