Abu frees 2 ARMM employees

MAGUINDANAO --- Two workers of the public works department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao kidnapped in Patikul, Sulu on Thursday were released by their captors without any ransom, officials said Monday.Truck driver Alriznor Halis and his helper, Aljimar Ahari, both employed in the Department of Public Works and Highways-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, were set free by Abu Sayyaf gunmen Sunday night.Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana of the Army-led anti-crime Joint Task Force Sulu and senior officials of the Police Regional Office-ARMM in Camp SK Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao said their abductors set them free through the efforts of influential Tausug leaders.Halis and Ahari were flagged down by Abu Sayyaf bandits in Barangay Bangkal in Patikul town in Sulu, a component province of the autonomous region.The Abu Sayyaf is rabidly opposed to the on-going multi-billion projects of the office of ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman in Sulu.The Abu Sayyaf, which boasts of loyalty to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, is known for its propensity in stoking public hatred to government using underdevelopment in Muslim communities as pitch.Officials of PRO-ARMM corroborated Sobejana’s announcement that the two DPWH-ARMM laborers were freed by their captors without any ransom.