ZAMBOANGA CITY – Abu Sayyaf rebels in southern Philippines have freed a Malaysian restaurant executive, but held on to a second Malaysian man as ransom negotiations continue for his freedom, reports said Monday.
The 50-year old Thien Nyuk Fun was immediately whisked away on a speedboat by Malaysian negotiators and has returned to Sandakan town in Sabah early on Monday after 6 months in captivity. Thien was released by Abu Sayyaf leader Alhabsi Misaya to a group of unidentified Filipino and Malaysian negotiators in Sulu before midnight Sunday.
There was no immediate statement from Philippine authorities on the release of the Malaysian woman, who is the manager of Ocean King Seafood Restaurant in Sandakan. But the Malaysian news site, The Star Online, reported that Thien was freed as “tense” discussions continue to secure the freedom of the second hostage – Bernard Then, 39.
Both Malaysians were kidnapped on May 14 after Abu Sayyaf gunmen raided the restaurant and brought the duo to Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines.
“She is reportedly disoriented, but generally well from her ordeal while Malaysian and Filipino negotiators working on behalf of the families continue to work out a deal with the Abu Sayyaf gunmen to secure the release of Sarawakian Bernard Then, 39,” the Star Online reported.
The release of Thien came six weeks later after Abu Sayyaf rebels threatened to kill one of the hostages if their demand for ransom is not paid. It was unclear how much ransom had been paid for Thien’s freedom, but the Abu Sayyaf had earlier demanded P30 million pesos for their freedom.
“Family negotiators had hoped to secure Then’s release, but it is understood that negotiations had hit a bump when other Abu Sayyaf groups had complicated efforts to secure his freedom. Efforts are still underway to negotiate his freedom,” the reports further said.
Filipino troops continue it operation against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, but it was unknown why the release of Thien was undetected by the military or police in the province. Just late in August, troops clashed with about 300 rebels in Patikul town during a failed rescue mission that left over a dozen soldiers and rebels wounded.
The rebels, led by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, Muammar Askali, Almuktar Suddung, Namiel Ahajari, and Basaron Arok, managed to escape a huge military assault.
The Abu Sayyaf is still holding several foreign hostages, including two Canadians, a Norwegian, an Italian and Filipinos kidnapped from other places and brought to Sulu’s jungle. (Mindanao Examiner)
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