Indian national escapes Abu Sayyaf captors–police

ZAMBOANGA CITY — An Indian national kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf gunmen in Sulu in June 2011 escaped from his captors late Thursday, the police said Friday.

Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra, Sulu police chief, said Viju Koolara Veetil, 36, was found by residents of a Parang village, which he did not name, towards midnight.

Veetil, who married a local, was abducted while visiting his in-laws.

“He is now in the custody of the Sulu provincial police office and is undergoing medical checkup and debriefing,” Freyra said.

In March, the Sulu police said it got information that Veettil was executed by the Abu Sayyaf because his family could not pay ransom.

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