ZAMBOANGA CITY – A public elementary teacher abducted four days ago by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits has been released by her captors yesterday.
Armed Forces of the Philippines, Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) Spokesman Maj Filemon Tan, Jr., identified the victim as Edrina Manalas Bonsil, a public school teacher of Tuup Elementary School in the village of Taung in Patikul town.
Bonsil was released about 2:30 pm, Thursday in the village of Danag in Patikul. It was not known if ransom has been paid by her family to the captors.
Patikul Mayor Kabir Elias Hayudini fetched Bonsil in the village of Danag upon her release and was immediately brought to her residence in Barangay Anuling, Patikul.
The report said that five fully armed member of suspected ASG rebels kidnapped Bonsil Tuesday morning at Sitio Kampuli, Barangay Kanague in Patikul town while she was on her way to report for work.
The group immediately dragged Bonsil and brought her to a forested area of the village and was later on said to be held captive in Patikul.
Troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu proceeded to the area to meet and conduct debriefing to the kidnap victim.
The release of Bongil has brought down the number of hostages in the hands of the ASG brigands to 12 people, including seven foreigners and five Filipinos.
Five of the seven foreigners were Indonesian sailors and the other two are Europeans. (Nonoy E. Lacson)