Abu Sayyaf frees Malaysian hostage after alleged ransom payment

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Abu Sayyaf gunmen freed a captive Malaysian-Chinese fish breeder Tuesday night following negotiation and alleged payment of “board and lodging fee" in the mountain of Indanan, Sulu.

Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), could not comment on the ransom payment but said kidnap victim Kun Mun Hua alias Chan Sai Chuin was released about 11 p.m. at Sitio Timahu, Barangay Tubig Dakula. 

Muyuela said Hua’s release came following the negotiation conducted by Hadji Mamih Sangkula and brother Hadji Mandi Sangkula.

There were no details of the negotiations conducted by the two civilian emissaries to the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who is responsible for the abduction of Hua.

However, security officials based in Malaysia disclosed that 3 million Malaysian ringgit was reportedly prepared as board and lodging fee.

Muyuela said Hua’s was immediately escorted by the Malaysian and Filipino emissaries aboard a speedboat in the wee hour of Wednesday before proceededing to Sandakan, Sabah. 

Hua, 32, a fish breeder, was forcibly taken by Abu Sayyaf gunmen last June 17 in his farm at Kampung Air Sapang in Kunak and held him for 182 days in Sulu.

Hua was reunited with his wife Chin Pek Nyen after she was informed of the release. 

Meanwhile, the Malaysian authority disclosed that a mediator was also working for the release of captive Malaysian policeman Kons Zakiah Aleip also abducted by the Abu Sayyaf gunmen from Sabah. 

Aleip, 26, was seized by the gunmen last July 12 from Palau Mabul and brought to Sulu.