Sulu bandits release school principal, hold trader

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Bandits operating in Sulu have released one of their captives — a school principal — Monday evening following negotiations led by Muslim elders, police officials said. Another victim, businessman Peter Go, is still being held. Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, provincial police chief, said Pakkam Hashim, principal of Kutah Sairap Elementary School, was safely released around 7 p.m. in Parang, the same town where he was abducted on Friday. The victim was on his way to Jolo’s downtown when his vehicle was flagged down by a group of Abu Sayyaf led by Gafur Jumdail, the military has reported. Police officials refused to confirm if there was ransom paid in exchange for his safe release. Authorities said Mr. Go, who was abducted on Sunday morning in front of the store he co-owns in downtown Jolo, has yet to be released. The local government unit of Jolo has created a crisis management committee to start negotiations for Mr. Go’s release. Lt. Esteffani A. Cacho, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, said the group of Albader Parad, another Abu Sayyaf leader, was responsible for Mr. Go’s abduction. Combined Abu Sayyaf and kidnap groups have emerged and launched separate kidnappings in Basilan and Sulu as well as in this city in recent months. For this year alone, authorities have reported more than 30 cases of kidnapping in Western Mindanao. Monitored paid ransom has reached more than P49 million. Ms. Cacho said military troops in these areas were ordered to continue their operation against the bandits despite the yuletide season. She said the government announced a holiday truce only with the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. The Abu Sayyaf, a listed terrorist organization, gained notoriety in early 2000 when it abducted several tourists, including foreigners, in a Palawan province resort. Two Americans died in the course of the hostage-taking. — Darwin T. Wee, BusinessWorld