5-year-old kidnap victim released in Basilan

Kidnappers on Saturday night released its five-year-old victim in Basilan province after holding him captive for almost a week, a military spokesman said on Sunday. Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said Aris dela Cruz was released due to "unrelenting pursuit operations" and not because of ransom payment. He said the boy was recovered by civilian volunteers at about 7:35 p.m. at the vicinity of Sitio Katamilan in Barangay Serongon in Mohamad Adjul town. Dela Cruz, who was abducted last January 27 in Lamitan town, was “in good condition" when he was recovered, Arevalo said. “He is a good condition. He is going to be brought to his parents in Lamitan (town)," he said. The boy is now under the care of Mohamad Adjul Mayor Talib Pawaki, according to Arevalo. Citing a report from Naval Forces Western Mindanao chief Commodore Alex Pama to Navy chief Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez, Arevalo said Dela Cruz was released without any ransom paid. He said the release of was “due to the intense pressure by the pursuing elements of 7th Marine Battalion and other security forces in the area." “Through constant coordination and unrelenting pursuit operations, criminal elements will have to release boy," he added. Arevalo could not categorically say if the suspects were members of the Abu Sayyaf, a loosely organized group of Islamic fundamentalists notorious for its kidnapping activities. - GMANews.TV