Kidnappers free Chinese hostage in Sulu province

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 09, 2009) – Kidnappers have freed Friday a Chinese bakery owner they seized in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, officials said.

Officials said Dionghan Que, 60, was released near the village of Ummul Qura in the town of Indanan, where Abu Sayyaf militants are also holding three Red Cross workers.

“We have no details about his release,” said Lt. Steffani Cacho, a regional military spokeswoman, adding, Que was freed by his captors at around 4 p.m.It was unknown if Que’s family paid ransom or not or whether the Abu Sayyaf had anything to do with his kidnapping.

Que snatched Monday in the capital town of Jolo while on his way home on a motorcycle.

No group claimed responsibility for Que’s abduction, but the three aid workers Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino May Jean Lacaba are being held by the Abu Sayyaf headed by Albader Parad and Abu Pula in the hinterlands of Indanan town.

The trio was snatched January 15 after inspecting humanitarian projects at a prison facility in Patikul town.

Police said a dismissed prison guard was among five gunmen who seized the trio and later handed them over to the Abu Sayyaf.

The Abu Sayyaf is also holding captive Xili Wu, a Chinese trader kidnapped also in Jolo town in December last year. (Mindanao Examiner)

Chinese bakery owner snatched in South RP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 02, 2009) – Unidentified men abducted a Chinese bakery owner Monday in the southern Philippine island of Sulu, police and military said.

Police said the victim, Dionghan Que, 60, was snatched in the capital town of Jolo while on his way home.

No group claimed responsibility for the latest abduction, but previous kidnappings had been largely blamed to Abu Sayyaf bandits, whose group is holding hostage three Red Cross workers – Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba.

“There is a pursuit operation. We cannot say anything more,” said Senior Supt. Julasirim Kasim.

He said a jeep used by the kidnappers was abandoned and recovered by the police near Indanan town.

The mayor of Jolo, Hussin Amin, could not be reached for statement. The military said Que’s family also owns a restaurant in Jolo. “There are no updates yet,” said Lt. Steffani Cacho, a regional military spokeswoman.

Police said it is still investigating the motive of the abduction and that there was no demand for ransom. The Abu Sayyaf is also holding captive Xili Wu, a Chinese trader kidnapped also in Jolo town in December last year. (Mindanao Examiner)