Abu Sayyaf frees kidnapped midwife

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The Abu Sayyaf group released unharmed on Tuesday a kidnapped midwife in a village of Patikul, Sulu, police said.

The police said the victim Lailani Bernabe was freed about 6 a.m. at Barangay Danag by Abu Sayyaf group sub-leader Arod Wahing. She was found by village leaders and turned over to the police.

Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbita, Sulu police provincial commander, said the victim was immediately provided with medical check up and was declared to be in good condition as she later reunited with her family.

Bernabe, assigned as midwife in Luuk Municipal Health Center, was abducted on August 28 while on board a passenger van that was intercepted by the Abu Sayyaf gunmen in Barangay Libug Kabaw, Panglima Estino town. 

There was no immediate information whether or not the family of Bernabe paid ransom for her release but the Abu Sayyaf group demanded an unspecified huge amount of ransom in exchange for the victims's freedom.

Police and military forces have been pursuing the Abu Sayyaf group that is holding at least seven hostages, including five foreigners, in different areas in the mountains of Sulu.