Fish breeder released by Abu Sayyaf

KUALA LUMPUR: After six months of being held in captivity in the thick jungles of South Philippines, fish farm manager Chan Sai Chuin who was kidnapped by Filipino militants in Kunak, Sabah, on June 16 was freed by his captors early today.
Chan who returned to Malaysian shores by sea was escorted by marine police following his release at about 6.30am.
He was reunited with his wife, Chin Pek Nyen, 42 and was reported to be in good health after undergoing a medical check up.
Negotiations by Malaysian and Philippines mediators over the months led to the freedom of the 32-year-old victim who hails from Perak.
It is believed that a ransom of at least RM2 million was paid to secure his release.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed Chan's release but declined to comment further.
Chan was kidnapped after midnight on June 16 by South Philippines gunmen at a fish farm in Kampung Air Sapang, a water village about 500m from mainland.
His wife and their two-year-old nephew who were also at the fish farm at the time managed to hide themselves from the abductors. A Suluk worker at the farm who was also taken along by the gunmen managed to escape by jumping into the sea and swimming ashore minutes into the journey to the kidnappers hideout at an island off South Philippines.
The kidnappers are believed to be the same gunmen who had carried out other abductions of Malaysians and foreign tourist of east of Sabah in the past.
Less than a month after Chan's abduction, the gunmen struck again at Pulau Mabul and were engaged in a shootout with marine police who were on patrol duty at the island on July 12.
Corporal Ab Rajah Jamuan, 32 was killed in the gunbattle with the kidnappers while his colleague constable Zakiah Aleip, 26, was kidnapped by the foreigners who are linked to the Abu Sayaf militant group.
Zakiah who was abducted about two weeks before Hari Raya Puasa remains in the hands of the militants and efforts to secure his release is ongoing.