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| Southeast Asia |
| Abu Sayyaf frees hostage |
| 2014-06-26 |
| Suspected Abu Sayyaf rebels have freed a woman they kidnapped in Zamboanga City early this year following a successful negotiation in nearby Basilan province. Former Basilan Vice Governor Alrasheed Sakkalahul, who helped in securing the safe release of Sabrina Voon, said the victim was freed in the coastal village of Baliwasan. Sakkalahul said the woman’s family sought his assistance. He said, "I hurried back to the Philippines to find a way on how to get in touch with the kidnappers after Voon’s family sought my help in securing the safe release of Sabrina. Through a third party, we were able to make contact with the kidnappers and secured the freedom of Sabrina Voon. We negotiated with the kidnappers and the authorities were well aware the negotiations and we did strictly on humanitarian grounds." He said he was not aware if ransom was paid to the kidnappers. Police have filed criminal charges against Abdul Hassan Yusop, who was among those who kidnapped Voon. Police said he had been identified through his photo on a fake driver’s license he used to hire the van in Zamboanga. |
| Posted by:ryuge |