Hanoi (VNA) – Islamist militant group Abu Sayyaf has released a Filipino hostage after about one year in captivity in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, the country’s military said on July 6.
The kidnap victim, Araji Maani, was freed at around 10:45 a.m (local time) on July 6 at the vicinity of Wanih Piyanjihan village in Parang, Sulu, said Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of the Armed Force of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command.
Maani was kidnapped on July 27 last year in Zamboanga city.
The Abu Sayyaf bandits are still holding three locals and nine foreigners, including a Norwegian. They threatened to execute the Norwegian if their demand for ransom is not met.
The group recently beheaded two Canadian nationals they seized along with the Norwegian and a female Filipino from a resort in Samal Island, Davao del Norte province.
Founded in the early 1990s, Abu Sayyaf is a network of some 400 Islamic militants who carry out bombings, kidnappings and the beheading of hostages. It has become a serious threat for security in the Philippines and was held responsible for the worst attacks seen in the country, including a ferry bombing that killed 100 people in Manila Bay in 2004.-VNA