Abducted Fil-Am activist’s companion freed

MANILA, Philippines - One of two companions of abducted Filipino-American activist Melissa Roxas has been freed and is reunited with his family, militant umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said Tuesday. Bayan cited initial reports from relatives and Karapatan Central Luzon that Juanito Carabeo had surfaced and is now with his family. “We’re still checking on the status of John Edward Handoc," it said on its Web site (www.bayan.ph), adding there are no details of Carabeo’s release. At least eight armed men abducted Carabeo, Handoc and Roxas last May 19 in La Paz town in Tarlac province. Roxas surfaced Monday, six days after the abduction but the circumstances regarding her release are still unknown, Bayan said. Meanwhile, Bayan’s chapter in the US has undertaken a campaign to release Handoc. - GMANews.TV