ZAMBO MAYOR: KIDNAPPED FILIPINO-AMERICAN FREED
[PHOTO - FIL-AMERICAN FREED: Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat presents Gerfa Lunsmann, a Philippine-born American, at a media conference at the Zamboanga City Hall on October 3, 2011, hours after she was freed by her abductors in Basilan. (REUTERS Photo)]
MANILA, OCTOBER 4, 2011 (BULLETIN) Filipino-American Gerfa Yeatts Lunsmann, who was kidnapped during a visit to Zamboanga City in July and held in captivity for over two months, has been released, according to police and the US Embassy.
However, Lunsmann's 14-year-old son Kevin Eric and her 19-year-old nephew Romnick Jackaria are still being held captive by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants.
The gunmen, however, have yet to release Kevin Eric, Lunsmann's 14-year-old son, police said.
Lunsmann was dropped off by boat late Sunday at a wharf and walked to nearby Maluso town on southern Basilan Island, where a patrolling police team picked her up. She was later handed over to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents.
In a statement, the US Embassy said Lunsmann's release could not have occurred without the concerted efforts of Philippine government officials and the personal engagement of Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat.
"We commend the diligent, professional and effective efforts of everyone involved in securing Mrs. Lunsmann's release," the embassy said.
Lunsmann, a 41-year-old veterinarian who lives in Virginia, arrived in the country to retrace her roots. She was born to a Muslim family near Zamboanga and was adopted by an American couple when she was still a nine-year-old girl in Pangapuyan Island. She has visited her home province at least five times before.
Last July 12, a group of armed men snatched Gerfa, along with Kevin and Romnick while at the beach house. They were forced at gunpoint to board awaiting boats. The boats then sped toward the island of Basilan.
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman, P/Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Jr. said that at around 10 p.m. last Sunday, elements of the Maluso Police Station led by Chief Insp. Dinar Hassan proceeded to Sitio Suba Kampong, Barangay Townsite, Maluso, Basilan to verify a report on the presence of armed men in the area.
But as the lawmen arrived at the place, they found the Lunsmann and immediately took her to the Maluso Police Station.
At around 2:10 a.m. Monday, Lunsmann was turned over to FBI special agents Jagdeep Khangura and Michael Paysan.
Police said they have no information on ransom payment or about the Kevin Eric.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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