DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A businesswoman and her driver were freed in Iligan City yesterday after more than a week in captivity, while the New People’s Army (NPA) released here on Tuesday night six traders it kidnapped 53 days ago, authorities said.
Col. Daniel Lucero, of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, said Faridad Ulama Adilao, 37, a gun store owner, and her driver, Casan Adilao, were released near a police checkpoint in Barangay Manukan, Iligan City at around 3:30 a.m. yesterday.
“The victims were released with their hands in handcuffs,” Lucero said.
The victims were immediately brought to the Mercy Hospital in Iligan City where they were given medical treatment.
Lucero said the freed businesswoman remained under a state of shock and underwent police debriefing to identify their kidnappers.
He said authorities were trying to ascertain if ransom was paid in exchange for their release.
Meanwhile, the NPA handed over mattress peddlers Ronald Boiles, James Mabaylan, Nelson Bagares, Ernesto Callo, Segundino Dailo Jr. and Julieto Sarsabo to representatives of the Sowing Seeds for Peace in Mindanao advocacy group at around 6 p.m. Tuesday in Paquibato district this city.
The traders’ release came just a few days after the separate releases by the NPA of four Bureau of Jail Management and Penology personnel and Mayor Henry Dano of Lingig, Surigao del Sur and his two military escorts, last Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
The six traders earlier suspected by NPA guerrillas as military spies.
Chief Superintendent Jaime Morente, Southern Mindanao police director, said the Sowing Seeds for Peace in Mindanao, led by Bishop Felixberto Calang of the Independent Filipiniana Church, immediately brought the six former captives to Cagayan de Oro City and turned them over to Misamis Oriental Vice Gov. Norris Bariera.
The vice governor, in turn, handed them over to their respective families at around 11 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Tubigon, Initao town. – With Jigger Jerusalem, John Unson