ZAMBOANGA City, Philippines - The dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) on Thursday night released a social workers kidnapped earlier this week in Ungkaya Pukan town, Basilan province.
Senior Superintendent Mario Dapillosa, Basilan police provincial office director, said Jennelyn Luna-Enpera of the provincial office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, was released by the bandits at around 7:30 p.m. in the vicinity of Barangay Ulitan in Ungkaya Pukan town.
Dapillosa said Enpera was released by the bandits to local officials and officials of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), who initiated the negotiations.
Enpera, who was assigned to the government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, was forcibly taken by four ASG members last Wednesday morning.
Dapillosa said that Enpera was turned over by the MILF to Sumisip town Mayor Gulam Hataman in the presence of police and military officials.
The authorities described the victim to be in good condition as she was reunited with her family late Thursday night.
Dapillosa said no ransom was paid for the release of the victim.