Islamic City of Marawi (14 December) --- The two (2) abducted Mindanao State University (MSU) students were finally released by their abductors after one week of captivity.
Brigadier General Rey C. Ardo, commanding officer of the 103rd Brigade, of the 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army, said the victims were released in Piagapo town around 5 a.m., today, December 14.
He said the safe release of the victims was a result of series of joint search and rescue operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) complemented by a series of negotiations spearheaded by city Mayor Fahad ‘Pre’ U. Salic, chairman of the Crisis Management Committee (CMC).
Salic orchestrated series of negotiations for the safe release of the victims, Ardo said.
It can be recalled that Shiela Mae Vidal, 18 years old, a second year student of College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, and a resident of Butuan City; and Alcher Balicuatro, 19 years old, 1st year student of College of Agriculture, and a resident of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte were abducted by four (4) unidentified armed men around 8 a.m. of December 7.
In a separate interview with Mayor Salic, he said the kidnappers were neophytes in perpetrating such crime so with the pressure exerted by the continuous manhunt AFP-PNP operations, they were left with no choice but to release the victims.
The city mayor also disclosed that no ransom was paid for their release.
The victims were handed over to MSU President Macapado Muslim and their respective families after their medical check-up at Amai Pakpak Medical Center, this morning.
Families of the victims were thankful to the army, police and local political leaders who helped facilitate the safe release of the two students.
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