Abu Sayyaf frees student in Basilan — military

A 19-year-old student kidnapped by the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group in Basilan province last May has been released after a P150,000 “board and lodging fee" was paid. Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc confirmed the release of Nico Sebastian but did not say if money was involved. A military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the kidnappers received P150,000 for the student’s release. Cabunoc on Thursday said Sebastian was released to police and local government officials at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Lamitan City due to pressure exerted by military operations on the bandit group. “They (Abu Sayyaf) were also pressured because of the continuing operations. We have dislodged them from their lair," he said. Sebastian was turned over to Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay upon his release, he added. Sebastian was kidnapped last May 19 by a group led by Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Nurhasan Jamiri, who reportedly demanded P2.5 million in ransom. Last month, the military was able to rescue another captive, Engr. Virgilio Fernandez, after two weeks in captivity. The Abu Sayyaf is still holding two hostages – businessman Lario delos Santos who was kidnapped last December in Lamitan City, and a nine-year-old child who was kidnapped in Zamboanga Sibugay last March. The group is also blamed for the kidnapping of two American citizens and a Filipino in Zamboanga City last Monday. Cabunoc said the military is currently conducting “intense combat and rescue operations" to free the two remaining captives. The Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for various kidnap-for-ransom and bombing activities in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, as well as in Metro Manila. — Andreo C. Calonzo/KBK, GMA News