Abducted worker escapes Abus, runs for 2 hrs to contact military

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A construction worker who was kidnapped in Sulu escaped from his abductors on Sunday night.

This time, however, he was already in Basilan province.

Edmundo Ramos, a construction worker from Tumaga village here, told reporters he managed to escape from his captors Sunday night. He said he ran for almost two hours until he reached a shoreline.

“I didn’t know the place. I was grateful because a man helped me out and he assisted me until I was able to contact the authorities,” Ramos said.

Rear Admiral Rene Medina, commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao, said Ramos was found in Tapiantana Island in Basilan.

Medina said Ramos was about to be transported by his captors to another island.

Ramos was one of six construction workers who were snatched by Abu Sayyaf bandits in Patikul, Sulu on July 15. Two of the workers escaped on the day of the kidnapping.

On August 9, the Abu Sayyaf threatened to behead the remaining hostages – Ramos, Jayson Vaelosis, Filemon Guerrero and Joel Adanza – if the P3 million ransom was not be delivered.

But on August 11, Vaelosis, Guerrero and Adanza escaped from their captors.

“When my colleagues started running, they (bandits) took hold of me. They knew that I am familiar with the place while my companions were not. I am happy that they all managed to escape safely,” he said.

After the escape of his companions, Ramos said his abductors moved him to another place. It was only after his escape that he learned he was already in Basilan.