Abu Sayyaf frees kid hostage

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin: Sahiron’s days are numbered. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–An 8-year-old boy who was kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists in July this year was released in Jolo Wednesday, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said on Thursday.

Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang were in Sulu on Thursday to inspect the troops when they were informed of the development by military commanders.

The AFP identified the victim as Jewel Mariel Nique, 8, who was released by her captors at a wharf in Jolo. Nique was abducted by four armed men from a store in her hometown in Olutanga in Zamboanga Sibugay province on July 25.

Gazmin said government forces were continuing their enforcement operations in Sulu after beefing up troop requirements in the province.

The Abu Sayyaf still holds 10 hostages, including European birdwatchers and a Japanese man.

According to the defense chief, the massive troop deployment in the province has been yielding results as far as the peace and order situation is concerned. Recently, two German kidnap victims of the Abu Sayyaf were released.

“What the military has been doing is to keep them (terrorists) on the run so they would have no time to plan their next move. We are going to isolate them by deploying more troops here. Their world is getting smaller every day,” he said.

Asked about the possibility of capturing Radulan Sahiron, the longest-reigning Abu Sayyaf leader in the province, Gazmin said his days were numbered.