Captive laborer escapes from Abu Sayyaf in Sulu
The victim — Jenly Miranda, 38 — arrived in Zamboanga City on Monday.
He said he and his companions were abducted from the staff house inside Kawmpang Elementary School Sports Complex in Patikul before dawn last Saturday. They were asleep when the Abu Sayyaf came.
Miranda said the gunmen, disguised in military uniforms, barged in and declared they were searching for drugs and then hit them with rifle butts.
One of Miranda's companions, Larry Velasquez, managed to dash for his freedom and reported the incident to the police.
Miranda said the Abu Sayyaf gunmen, numbering about 10 to 12, later took them away, saying they would be interrogated. They were instead led towards the jungle.
He said he escaped from his captors after he managed to slip off the plastic rope securing him and his fellow captives.
“I managed to untie the rope around my hands and neck [and pretended to still be tied up] until I noticed the deep cliff from the ridge that we were trekking,” Miranda said.
Miranda said he ran for three hours until he reached a barangay hall, where village leaders assisted him and reported his presence to the nearby camp of the 45th Infantry Battalion.
He said was brought to the headquarters of Joint Task Force Sulu and provided with medical assistance as he fractured his right foot from running.
Miranda was later reunited with Velasquez and escorted by the military aboard a Navy plane from Jolo to this city late Monday night. Both are now with their families.
He said will no longer risk working in Jolo despite the higher pay.
Meanwhile, efforts to negotiate for the safe release of the other captive laborers continue through a local intermediary.
The victims’ families confirmed the Abu Sayyaf have been calling and issuing ransom demand in exchange for the release of captives.
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