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ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews / 25 June) – Kidnappers suspected to be Abu Sayyaf bandits released Wednesday the businesswoman they seized more than four months ago in this city following a series of negotiations.
Alrasheed Sakkalahul, former Basilan vice governor, said the victim, Sabrina Voon, was freed around noontime at a wharf in Barangay Baliwasan, this city.
Sakkalahul said Voon’s release came after negotiations he facilitated between the family of the victim and the Basilan-based kidnappers.
He said the Voon family sought his assistance after they were informed that the victim was taken to Basilan.
However, Sakkalahul said he has no idea whether or not the family of Voon paid ransom in exchange for the release of the victim.
The kidnappers earlier demanded P5 million ransom for the victim’s freedom.
Voon, 28, was seized by six gunmen, clad in police uniforms, who barged into her residence in Barangay Mercedes in the evening of February 19, this year.
A local television reported that Voon, upon her release, boarded a tricycle and met her family along the highway in Barangay Guiwan.
From there, they went home to Barangay Mercedes.
