Marvin Jay Corvera was released around 6pm and was immediately brought to a local hospital, Prosperidad Mayor Albin Magdamit said.
“Corvera is now in a hospital in Prosperidad because he is very sick,” said Magdamit, who chairs the crisis committee.
The mayor said the release of Corvera came after the crisis committee replaced the lead negotiator, Josefina Bajade, Agusan del Sur provincial social development officer, with the father of one of the abductors.
He said the new lead negotiator is Rolando Brital, father of Rejoy Brital, one of the six gunmen holding the hostages.
“Because he is the father of one of the gunmen, Brital can move freely and talk with the abductors. The release of Corvera is his doing,” Magdamit told reporters.
Magdamit said Bajade will remain in the crisis committee but will no longer take the lead in the negotiations.
“She (Bajade) is no longer allowed to go up in the mountains or have contact with the abductors,” he said.
“That order from the crisis committee is also for her safety,” he added.
Two teachers, Hipolito Lastimoda and Diosdede Cabantac were released by the gunmen last Sunday, bringing down the number of hostages still in their hands to 12.[]
Magdamit said the crisis committee agreed to review the criminal cases filed against Ondo Perez, leader of the 2009 kidnapping of 125 teachers and students in Sitio Maitum, Barangay San Martin, also in Prosperidad town.[]
