ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 28, 2014) – Kidnappers have freed a chief mechanic nearly two weeks after suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen seized him and shot dead his assistant in Sulu province in southern Philippines, police said Thursday.
Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbita, the provincial police chief, said the 39-year old Ronald Pelegrin was released on August 27 in Patikul town near where he was kidnapped on August 16.
“Pelegrin was freed by his captors in Patikul town. He is safe and okay,” Orbita told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
It was unknown whether Pelegrin’s family paid ransom or not. Pelegrin, a native of Zamboanga City, works at the motor pool of the provincial government in Patikul town.
Police said about 30 militants swooped down on the motor pool and kidnapped Pelegrin, 39, after fatally shooting Dante Avilla, 29, while trying to escape.
In January 2009, Abu Sayyaf militants also kidnapped three Red Cross workers Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba near the motor pool. They were freed several months later in exchange for ransom. (With a report from Ely Dumaboc.)
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