ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (11 June 2003) -- After more than three years in captivity, the last hostage of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group escaped from his captors Wednesday, military officials said Friday. Roland Ullah, who was among the 21 people the bandit group abducted from the Malaysian diving resort of Sipadan on April 23, 2000. "Roland Ullah is now under military custody," said Major General Trifonio Salazar, commander of the 1st Infantry Division. His physical condition was not known, though officials said the former hostage was being debriefed. Brigadier General Romeo Tolentino, commander of a military-police task force pursuing the Abu Sayyaf, said Ullah was with an Abu Sayyaf unitthat clashed with government soldiers near Patikul town, Jolo Island, on Wednesday. Ullah escaped during the nine-hour encounter in Mount Bagsak, Patikul. | | Joyce, Ullah's wife, said she hoped the news was true. "If I see him alive, I would be very happy," she said. After the firefight, Ullah hid in the mountain until 9 a.m. the following day, said a military official who requested anonymity. He then walked to barangay (village) Taung, Talipao town, and went to the house of councilor Abraham Jaddi to ask how he could reach Jolo. Jaddi, the military official said, asked help from other people in the village and then called Patikul vice mayor Esmond Suhuri. In Camp Aguinaldo, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Lucero said Ullah was in the custody of Joint Task Force Comet. In the Wednesday firefight, a Marine was killed and 11 other persons wounded. |
