Abu Sayyaf releases 8-year-old captive

Oct 30, 2014 9:22 AM PHT

Carmela Fonbuena

SUMMARY

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'Jewel' is released 3 months after she was snatched from a store in her hometown Olutanga in Zamboanga Sibugay

MANILA, Philippines – The Abu Sayyaf Group has released an 8-year-old girl after 3 months in captivity, the military said.

According to a social media post of military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, “Jewel” was released at the Jolo wharf at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, October 29.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces chief Gregorio Catapang Jr left for Sulu early Thursday morning.

The girl was abducted by the Abu Sayyaf from a store in her hometown Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay in July, and later brought to Sulu.

She was released as the military continues to conduct combat rescue operations against the local terrorist group, and nearly two weeks after the Abu Sayyaf freed two German hostages after 6 months in captivity.

The military earlier said it found 3 abandoned Abu Sayyaf camps but they’ve lost the trail of the members. – Rappler.com