Hostage freed after bounty raised

Hostage freed after bounty raised

COTABATO, Philippines (AFP): Suspected Moslem rebels have
released a grocer near this southern Philippine city, the
military said yesterday, after town residents raised a bounty for
the kidnappers' heads.

Jesusa Ang, 43, who was kidnapped March 24 in the town of
M'lang was released without ransom by her captors late Wednesday
in the town of Datu Udin Sinsuat, army spokesman Captain Noel
Detoyato said.

Moslem provincial official Farida Pendatun negotiated with
Saligan Gani of the "lost command" of the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) for her release, Detoyato said.

Prior to Ang's release, residents of M'lang raised 300,000
pesos (US$11,538) in one week as a bounty for anyone who could
bring the heads of Ang's kidnappers, said M'lang's mayor Manny
Pinol.

The kidnappers initially demanded three million pesos
($115,384) for Ang's release which was then lowered to 800,000
pesos. But Ang's family staunchly refused to pay the ransom, said
Ang's brother, Bec Boy Ang.