Abu Sayyaf frees kidnapped businesswoman in Jolo

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Abu Sayyaf Group has released a businesswoman, but kept her relative captive in the jungles of Sulu, a security official said Friday.

Col. Jose Joriel Cenabre, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu and 2nd Marine Brigade, said that kidnap victim Nancy Gonato, 39, was freed by the bandits at around 4:30 p.m. Thursday in downtown of Jolo, the capital town of Sulu.'

Cenabre could not immediately confirm whether ransom was paid in exchange for the release of Gonato.

He said Gonato's business partner and relative Ronnie Sandagon, a former municipal councilor of Naga town, Zamboanga Sibugay, remains in the bandit group's captivity.

The police and the military believe believe that Sandagon is still alive.

The bandits seized the victims last April 7 while they were in their buying station at the Taha Private Wharf in Baliwasan Seaside, Zamboanga City.

The kidnappers, believed to be led by Uztadz Yazzer Igasan alias Tuan Yah and Sibih, brought the kidnapped victims to the coastal areas of barangays Mabahay and Ipil, in Talipao, Sulu.

Reports disclosed that Gonato was escorted by an emissary of the Abu Sayyaf and released her in Jolo following the joint law enforcement operation of the marines and the police and negotiation efforts initiated by

Cenabre said the freed victim was recovered and presented to Gov. Abdulsakur ‘Totoh’ Tan II before she was brought to a military trauma hospital in Jolo for medical checkup.

Gonato was flown Friday morning by military chopper to Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB) in this city, where she was met by her family.

The victim declined to face the media.