Pentagon group frees S. Korean

Gunmen in the crime-ridden southern Philippines freed a South Korean businessman yesterday after holding him hostage for about 22 weeks, officials said. The ransom - 50 sacks of rice.

Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Yoon Jae-kun, 42, was freed following negotiations led by senior aide Jesus Dureza working with local officials in Palimbang town on Mindanao island.

Local officials presented Yoon to the president, reports from Cotabato City reaching the presidential palace said.

Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process with Muslim groups, told reporters that Yoon "was well-dressed and was wearing a beret when presented to the president. He is fine; he is okay and he has gained a lot of weight".

Earlier, an unshaven Yoon hungrily tucked into goat stew, his first conventional meal in nearly five months after gunmen seized him and put him on a mean diet of salt and bananas.

The 42 year-old, who visited the rebellion-torn Mindanao island in February intending to invest in an unspecified treasure hunting venture, came down from the mountains in mud-caked clothes after the mayor of this town ransomed him with 50 sacks of rice and pledged to help the gang win government amnesty.

Yoon, who is based in the Philippines, described his experience as "a bad vacation in the mountains". He blasted certain unnamed negotiators who he said had driven up his ransom, prolonging his ordeal.

Yoon said he was frequently moved from place to place and often had to subsist on salt and bananas while in captivity.

"I want to go home," Yoon said after enjoying his meal at the home of Palimbang Mayor Samrod Mamansual here.

Yoon, sporting thick whiskers, appeared tired but in good spirits when he was picked up by security officials here. He identified his kidnapper as Salamon Makadingding, also known as Commander Tropical, a former member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) - a Muslim separatist group which has signed a ceasefire with the government. "It is a big syndicate which coordinates (the abduction)," he said.

Local Muslim residents had helped hand over Yoon to the members of the 6th Infantry Division in Maitum, Saranggani, at 8.15am. Yoon was brought to the military headquarters in Maguindanao, a little after nine in the morning.

Arroyo expressed her appreciation to the local government officials who negotiated for Yoon's release.

Arroyo's visit to the southern Philippines coincided with the victim's freedom. His abductors were scheduled to release him on Sunday, but there was a delay of two days because of bad weather. Arroyo arrived in Davao City on Sunday afternoon.

Maitum Mayor Labualas Mamansual negotiated Yoon's release with the members of the Abu Sofia gang, led by Chongko Abdul Rakman. The Abu Sofia is a breakaway group of the Pentagon 'kidnap gang', which operates in central Mindanao.

Local officials said no ransom was paid for Yoon's release, adding he was freed after a series of negotiations between the government representatives and the kidnappers.

Meanwhile, the head of the newly identified kidnap gang, reportedly asked for amnesty for himself and his companions, following Yoon's release.

"He and his men wanted to return to the fold of law," said the military. Rakman, also known as Commander Tropical, is expected to give himself up to the authorities soon, taking advantage of the government's offer of amnesty to rebels in the southern Philippines.