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.