Abu Sayyaf frees hostage in Jolo

Gertrude Tan, a female trader, who was kidnapped five months ago by suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf group, was freed and turned over to the military by her captors in the southern island of Jolo yesterday, the military said.

Col. Alexander Yapching, the regional Army chief, did not say if ransom was paid, but added that witnesses saw Tan's relative was shot dead last week after he was giving $ 12,000 to members of the suspected kidnappers.

On April 14, gunmen abducted Tan in Siasi island off Jolo. Gunmen believed to belong to the hostage-taking Abu Sayyaf group that has been kidnapping Christians and foreigners in the south for ransom, over a period of 20 years.

Authorities have blamed the group for bombing activities, which had resulted in the murder of hostages, including an American serviceman in the south.

The U.S. and the Philippine governments have linked the Abu Sayyaf group to Osama bin Laden's the Al Qaida.