Abus free Sulu chief mechanic

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Abu Sayyaf bandits have released a chief mechanic of the Sulu provincial government after ransom was reportedly paid.

After two weeks in captivity, Ronald Pelegrin, 36, was abandoned by his captors in Barangay Danag, Patikul town Wednesday night.

Pelegrin and his cousin Renante Avilla were seized last Aug. 15 from their sleeping quarters near the provincial capitol. Avilla was shot and killed when he resisted the kidnappers.

The kidnapping was witnessed by the victims’ wives, who were paying them a visit when gunmen stormed their barracks.

From Barangay Danag, Pelegrin said he took a passenger jeepney and asked the driver to bring him to the Sulu provincial engineering office in Jolo, where he met with his superior, Munir Bahi.

Bahi informed the police about Pelegrin’s release.

Police officers took Pelegrin back to this city in a ferry, which arrived at about 5 a. m. yesterday.

Pelegrin was brought to the headquarters of the anti-kidnapping group at Camp Battalia along Cawa-Cawa R.T Lim Boulevard for medical checkup and debriefing.

He said he was treated well during captivity and his captors asked him to convert to Islam.

“They escorted me out of the mountain, left me in the village and told me I was free,” he said.

Pelegrin said he would never go back to work in Sulu.

The police and military could not confirm or deny if ransom was paid to secure Pelegrin’s release.

A source, who took part in the negotiation for the victim’s release, said a huge amount and two automatic rifles were given to the kidnappers. 

The victim’s family earlier said the kidnappers asked for a P15-million ransom.

The source said the kidnapping was due to the refusal of the provincial engineer’s office’s to pay the bandit group protection money.

The source said the same reason was also behind the kidnapping of Sulu construction foreman Remegio Lingayan and his brother-in-law Joselito Gonzales last June.

Gonzales was allegedly killed in a firefight between the kidnappers and pursuing soldiers in Patikul.

Lingayan was released last July 27 after ransom was reportedly paid.