Abducted Indian escapes Philippine rebels' custody

By Ashraf Padanna/Thiruvananthapuram

Biju Kolara Veetil is reunited with family after his escape from captivity in Jolo, Sulu, southern Philippines, yesterday

A Kerala youth abducted by the Philippine separatist group Abu Sayyaf last year has escaped from his abductors, according to the authorities here. Biju Kolara Veetil, 37, who has been held captive for 14 months, escaped from his captors during the night and took refuge in the nearby police office.The police later escorted him to Manila and informed the Indian embassy, a statement by the office of Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said yesterday.Veetil, who hails from Kappad in Kozhikode district, had visited Manila on a vacation with his Filipina wife Elena and their two children.However, two weeks after arriving in the country Veetil was abducted by the Abu Sayyaf who later demanded a 5mn pesos ($122,000) ransom. No ransom has been paid, his wife disclosed after being reunited with Veetil.“The chief minister has spoken to Veetil and has urged Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi to expedite Veetil’s repatriation,” the statement said. “We have been working hard to secure his release,” the statement added.Quoting his family members in Kozhikode, agency reports said, Veetil, who was working as an operations manager at a garment factory in Kuwait, was abducted by the terror group from Sulu province.“Veetil telephoned us at about 2.45am informing that he was released by the captors,” Veetil’s father was quoted as saying. Veetil’s brother said he had also spoken to him a couple of times.“At present Veetil is at the police headquarters in Philippines after medical check-up,” he added. Veetil, who said he lost 20kgs in captivity, appeared to be in good health, said a Philippines police officer.Veetil had last visited his native place Moodadi, about 6km from Koilandy in Kozhikode district, in June last year.The southern Philippines has long been the haunt of armed groups who kidnap foreigners for ransom.