4th social worker still in Abu captivity

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Abu Sayyaf is still holding a fourth social worker hostage, while two of his colleagues were freed Saturday night and another managed to escape earlier that day.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development deployed the four social workers last Thursday to verify and survey beneficiaries of the government’s conditional cash transfer program when 10 Abu Sayyaf militants snatched them in Barangay Sinumaan in Talipao, Sulu.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman said Lerna Jura escaped from their captors Saturday morning and sought the help of residents of Barangay Sinumaan, Talipao town.

The two others, couple Mark and Nurhani Sikangko, were freed Saturday night in Barangay Danag, Patikul town and recovered by local officials led by Vice Gov. Sakur Tan, Hataman said. There is no word if ransom – or “board and lodging fee” – was paid for their release.

Hataman said another social worker, Roberto Saputalo, is still being held hostage.