Abducted Basilan college official released - police

Suspected Abu Sayyaf members on Thursday night released a Mindanao university official whom it kidnapped in Basilan province earlier this month, a radio report said. The report, aired over radio dzBB by Benjie Liwanag, quoted Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina as saying that the victim, Dr. Orlando Fajardo, was recovered by government security forces at around 9:30 p.m. in Lamitan city. Fajardo, vice president for academic affairs of the Basilan State College (BSC), was abducted last December 10 while on his way home from work. A text message from Director Felizardo Serapio, chief of the Western Mindanao integrated police operations, said Fajardo was recovered at the vicinity of Mt. Cubong in Barangay Parang Basak. "The release was a result of police and military pressure and negotiation efforts of the crisis management committee," Serapio said. Fajardo’s abduction came a day after the severed head of another kidnap victim, Marquez Singson, was found in Isabela City, also in Basilan province. Three other kidnap victims in Basilan, including two Chinese nationals, remain in custody of the kidnappers, who are believed to be members of the notorious al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group. Basilan Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul, who heads the provincial crisis management committee, said the kidnappers had earlier asked for a P20-million ransom in exchange for Fajardo's safe release. - KBK, GMANews.TV