ZAMBOANGA CITY — Suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits on Monday released the public school teacher they seized on Sept. 22 in Sulu, police said Tuesday.
The Sulu Provincial Police Office said the victim, Benjamin Ubaid, was freed around 6:30 p.m. in Barangay Danag, Patikul, Sulu.
Police said the ASG released Ubaid after the family reportedly paid PHP200,000. The original ransom demand was PHP1 million.
Ubaid told police he was seized by two suspected ASG gunmen around 2 p.m. Saturday in Sitio Godinez, Barangay Latih, Patikul. Ubaid was in the area to attend the 100 days death prayer of his elder brother.
Ubaid is a teacher of Camp Andres Central Elementary School located in Barangay Tubig Putih, Luuk municipality.
Police said Ubaid even managed to call one of his fellow teachers to inform that he was abducted and was heading towards an unspecified place outside Jolo, the capital town of Sulu.
Ubaid reunited with his family in Barangay San Raymundo, Jolo, following his release, police said.
The ASG bandits are still holding captives 11 people, including two foreigners. (Ely Dumaboc/PNA)
