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ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—An Indian national, who had been declared dead after he was kidnapped in Sulu a year ago, was freed on Saturday afternoon, according to a former kidnap victim.
Octavio Dinampo, a professor and himself a former kidnap victim, confirmed the release of Bidju Kolara Veetil, 36, an Indian national who was kidnapped in June 2011.
Dinampo, who claimed receiving reports from Bantay Ceasefire members on the ground, said Veetil was released to his in-laws in Patikul town in Sulu. Bantay Ceasefire is composed of civilians who monitor conflicts in the province.
“The Indian national is now with his in-laws in Barangay Pansul,” Dinampo said.
Chief Superintendent Mario Avenido, police chief for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, however, said they have not received any report about the reported release.
Senior Supt. Antonio Freyra, the provincial police chief, earlier said they received reports that Veetil was killed after relatives of his wife failed to give the ransom demanded by his kidnappers.
Veetil is married to a Tausug woman. He was allegedly kidnapped by armed men believed to be relatives of Veetil’s wife.
Freyra said the abduction resulted in to a rido (family feud), prompting Veetil’s wife to negotiate.
A week ago, Interior and Local Governments Secretary Jesse Robredo said Veetil was being held by the same group holding Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani and his Filipino crew Ramelito Vela and Rolando Letrero.
The three have not resurfaced from the Abu Sayyaf lair since going there on June 12. The government, however, has not declared Atayni’s group as having been kidnapped.