ZAMBOANGA CITY: Suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen have released a nurse after four months in captivity in Basilan island in the southern Philippines, authorities said yesterday, but the group is still holding two more hostages and has demanded P27 million for their freedom.
Police said Preciosa Feliciano, 24, was freed late Friday on a remote village in Tipo-Tipo town following a series of negotiations.
Feliciano’s family said they had paid P1.8 million ransom to the kidnappers, who originally demanded P5 million for her release.
Feliciano was accompanied by Basilan police chief, Salik Macapantar, and was brought to a naval base here for medical examination and debriefing.
The Abu Sayyaf, headed by Puruji Indama and Nur Hassan Jamiri, is still holding aid worker Millet Mendoza and nursing student Joed Anthony Pilangga.
A fourth victim, Esperancita Hupida, was freed Oct. 30 after private negotiators allegedly paid P2 million.
The families of kidnapped victims on Friday appealed to President Gloria Arroyo to help secure their release.
The gunmen have demanded P20 million from Pilangga’s family; P7 million for Mendoza’s freedom.
The families of Pilangga and Mendoza said they cannot afford to pay ransom and have appealed to the kidnappers to free the hostages.
Merli Mendoza, sister of Millet Mendoza, also called on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is active in Basilan island, to help secure the freedom of the hostages.
