Kidnapped Sulu student finally free

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A Filipino-Chinese student kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits more than two months ago was recovered in Sulu last Tuesday night, authorities said.

Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu, commander of the Directorate for Integrated Police Office for Western Mindanao, said Kenn Clifford Lao, 20, a special child of Paul and Dr. Cecilia Lao of Jolo, Sulu, was recovered at around 9 p.m. Tuesday and turned over to Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan, after which he was reunited with his family.

Lao, a commerce student of the Notre Dame College of Jolo, was snatched last Oct. 7 by armed men after he went outside the campus supposedly to meet a textmate.

The kidnappers earlier had demanded P3-million ransom in exchange for Lao’s release.

Authorities, however, said no money was paid, as Lao was recovered following an operation by combined police forces in Barangay Langkop, Patikul town.

Senior Superintendent Shepard Reyes, acting Sulu police director, said policemen and members of the Regional Mobile Force swooped down on the kidnappers’ supposed safehouse based on intelligence reports that Lao was being kept there.

The suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits escaped after sensing the arrival of the police forces and abandoned their captive.

Police said Lao appeared scared when he was recovered and asked for his parents.

“It was an emotional reunion between the victim and his parents,” Tan said, as he directed the police to intensify their security operations to put a stop to kidnappings in the province. – With Mike Frialde and Cecille Suerte Felipe