November 21, 2000, Sun Star Zamboanga, Sayyaf releases teacher, kids, by Bong Garcia,

November 21, 2000, Sun Star Zamboanga, Sayyaf releases teacher, kids, by Bong Garcia,

Remnants of the Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf freed a teacher and two of her children in a village in Sumisip, Basilan province after abducted for 12 days and held captive in the forested mountains of the province. Leticia Pascual, a public school teacher and her children Vincent, 6 and Mary Grace, 9 years old all residents of Barangay Kumalarang, Isabela, the capital town of Basilan were freed last Saturday around 1 p.m. in Barangay Baiwas Sumisip town.

Southern Command spokesman, Col. Hilario Atendido Monday said the victims were freed following negotiations initiated by Balwas Barangay Captain Madjang Liguisan amidst pressure from the elements of the 10th Infantry Battalion. "The bandits were given ultimatum. But whether they will release the victims or not we have to rum after them," Atendido said.

Pascual said they were brought by the kidnappers to Barangay Baiwas and left them to the custody of a certain Ustadz Munap Api where they were held captive. "They fed us with food that we have to be content with considering the situation. But I was very worried on my two young children," Pascual told the military when they were debriefed before they were brought to the 103rd Army Brigade for proper disposition to their respective families.

The elder Pascual along with her four children were forcibly taken by 60 armed Abu Sayyaf under Commander Isnilon Hapilon from their home in Kumalarang, Isabela town last Nov. 6. However, two of Pascual's children, Anoy, 3, and Jeffrey, 5 were abandoned by bandits and were subsequently recovered by pursuing military and police operatives with the help of villagers.

Hapilon's group were monitored earlier this month by local officials of Lantawan town hiding in one of the villages in the area. They were reportedly looking for prospective kidnap victims. Meanwhile, Atendido said an Abu Sayyaf was killed in a clash against the government troops searching for the two remaining captives, American Jeffrey Schilling and Filipino dive instructor Roland Ullah, in the jungle of Sulu. Atendido said the elements of the 77th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat patrol when they encountered over the weekend 10 fully armed followers the bandits’ “chief of staff" Radulan Sahiron guarding an observation post at Mount Awak, Patikul town.

He said a brief gunbattle erupted that left one Abu Sayyaf follower killed while undetermined were wounded. The bandits fled towards east direction. Deadtoll of the Abu Sayyaf increased to 199 as sporadic clashes continued with troops mounting its operation in the different jungle lairs of the bandit group in Sulu.