October 17, 1999, The Straits Times / AFP, page 1, Tit-for-tat kidnap,
Zamboanga -- Muslim extremists have released a hostage abducted this week after his family retaliated by abducting six relatives of the kidnappers' leader, the military said yesterday.
Mr. Abdul Basi Dimaporo was freed late on Friday by the Muslim Abu Sayyaf group in a village near this port city following negotiations with local officials, military southern command chief Edgardo Espinosa said.
Mr. Dimaporo was abducted along with his friend Samad Totong as they were praying in a mosque last Wednesday. The latter was released after the rebels learnt he is a Muslim priest.
But officials said the guerillas could also have softened after learning that Mr. Dimaporo's family had retaliated by abducting their leader's relatives.
Police and military sources here said the relatives were also freed in a tit-for-tat move.
A third person abducted by the guerillas last week, trader Angel Quinones, 60, remains a hostage.
Lieutenant-General Espinosa said the Quinones family, whose son manages the state-run Philippine Ports Authority here, has received a letter from the rebels demanding a huge ransom.
The Abu Sayyaf, one of two separatist groups seeking to set up an Islamic state in southern Philippines, has also abducted missionaries and foreigners in the past to raise funds for its activities. --AFP
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