ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 6, 2012) – Kidnappers have freed early Tuesday a southern Philippine town mayor after his family reportedly paid ransoms in exchange for his freedom.
Security officials confirmed the release, but would not say whether ransoms had been paid for the safe release of Mayor Jeffrey Lim, of Salug town in Zamboanga del Norte province where he was kidnapped in April.
Regional army commander Maj. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III said the 36-year old politician was believed taken to Basilan province, just several nautical miles from Zamboanga City.
“After seven months of captivity, kidnapped victim Mayor Jeffrey Lim safely returned to his family at about 3 a.m. Tuesday. It cannot immediately be ascertained whether ransom was paid,” Cruz said.
No other details were made available by the military.
Lim was kidnapped April 2 by at least 10 gunmen, disguised as policemen, while heading to the town’s bus depot.
The military previously suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front members as behind the kidnapping and ordered a series of operation to rescue Lim in Zamboanga Sibugay and Basilan, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.
The MILF, which is negotiating a peace deal with Manila, has denied involvement in the kidnapping and warned that continued military operations in rebel areas could trigger clashes.
The rebel group is fighting for self-determination in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner. Ely Dumaboc)
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