News Update Philippine Kidnappers release Yusoph's son in CDO

Nuraldin Yusoph, the kidnapped son of Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Elias Yusoph, was released by his abductors Monday in southern Philippines, according to a report in GMA Network's "24 Oras."

No ransom was paid for the release, according to Jesus Dureza, chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority who helped in the negotiations for Nuraldin's freedom.

"When we work on these cases, we stick to the government's no-ransom policy," he said in an interview on "24 Oras."

The report said Nuraldin was freed Monday afternoon in Cagayan de Oro to a mediator and has since rejoined his family.

"He's okay. Pinagpapahinga lang (He's now resting)," Dureza said.

National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said Nuraldin would be flown to Manila Tuesday morning.

Maj. Gen. Romeo Lustestica, chief of the 1st Infantry Division, said Nuraldin was fetched by his brother Arafat Yusoph.

This page requires a higher version browser Dureza refused to give other details about the release for the meantime, saying this was the agreement he reached with the Yusoph family and Lanao del Sur governor Mamintang Adiong Jr., who also worked for Nuraldin's freedom.

"This is a happy ending to what otherwise was something very bad for us for a time," Dureza said.

Nuraldin, 22, was abducted outside a mosque in Marawi City last June 20 by unidentified men who reportedly sought the nullification of certain votes in Lanao del Sur. He is the sixth of Yusoph's 10 children.

The Comelec, meanwhile, welcomed the development.

"(The) Comelec is thankful that Nuraldin Yusoph is no longer in the hands of his abductors. We are looking forward to his being reunited with his family," said Comelec spokesman James Jimenez in a text message to reporters.

He also assured the poll body, through the elder Yusoph, "has not compromised its principles and has remained faithful to the no-ransom policy." - KBK,