Kidnappers release wrong victim

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Kidnappers believed to have links to the Abu Sayyaf released their four-year-old female hostage without any ransom or “board and lodging fee” in Tuburan, Basilan yesterday, saying they snatched the wrong victim, a local official said.

Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay said Andrea Cuevas Diman, a daughter of a pedicab driver and a barbecue vendor, was released to former Tuburan mayor Hajarun Jamiri who was tapped by Furigay to lead the negotiations.

Two motorcycle-riding men snatched the girl in Lamitan town last Sunday night while she was playing in the town plaza.

Another girl, nine-year-old Nicole Raveche, still remains in captivity. She was abducted in Lamitan last Nov. 26 and her kidnappers have reportedly demanded P2-million ransom.

Nick Castro, Furigay’s chief of staff, said Diman’s kidnappers were forced to free her as the Marines had mounted a pursuit operation. – Roel Pareño, James Mananghaya