2 abducted DSWD workers freed by armed men

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Two workers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) were freed by their abductors in Patikul, Sulu on Saturday afternoon.

Freed were Agustino Sicangco and wife Nurhati, who were kidnapped on July 17.

Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbita, provincial police chief, said the Sicangcos were first brought to the house of Patikul vice mayor Jun Tarsum in Barangay (village) Umangay, and later to the Integrated Provincial Health Office for a medical check-up.

A source, who asked not to be named for not having been authorized to speak on the matter, said the victims’ family paid P200,000 ransom.

Nurhati is the DSWD-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao coordinator for Talipao town. Her husband also works with the same office as a social worker. The Sicangcos, along with co-workers Robert Saputalo and Lerma Jurah, were abducted by armed men led by a certain Enrile Jumayde in Talipao town on July 17.

Jurah was freed in the village of Danag in Patikul town on July 18. Saputalo remains in the hands of his abductors.

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