Kidnapped Tsinoy trader freed in Jolo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A Filipino-Chinese businessman held captive for one year and two months, walked to his freedom after suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits freed him before dawn yesterday in downtown Jolo in Sulu, a military official said.

Col. Jose Joriel Cenabre, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade and Joint Task Force Sulu, said Carlos Tee Tiam, 62, a gas station owner, told police that he just walked alone to his house after he was released.

Tiam’s wife, according to Cenabre, heard someone knocking on the door and when she opened it she was surprised to find her husband standing there alone.

Tiam’s family told authorities that they were surprised by his release, saying they did not negotiate or pay any ransom to his kidnappers.

Tiam was seized by armed men from his residence on Hadji Butu Extension in Jolo on April 7 last year.