Filipino gunmen release US hostage
- 13 years ago
Former hostage Gerfa Lunsman takes her place at a news conference in Zamboanga City in the Philippines.
Police say the U.S. citizen was found wandering near a town on the southern island of Basilan on Sunday after being held captive for nearly three months.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ZAMBOANGA CITY MAYOR CELSO LOBREGAT, SAYING:
"From the quick response and the tight hug that she gave, she was happy to be free."
Her 14-year-old son is still being held by suspected militants.
Lunsman and her son were vacationing on Basilan when gunmen captured them.
Officials say her husband was in contact with the kidnappers.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ZAMBOANGA CITY MAYOR CELSO LOBREGAT, SAYING:
"The communication between the kidnappers and the husband has been going on for quite some time."
Lunsman was born in the Philippines and adopted by a U.S. couple.
Authorities believe the kidnappers are connected to al Qaeda, which is active in the area.
Jessica Gray, Reuters
Police say the U.S. citizen was found wandering near a town on the southern island of Basilan on Sunday after being held captive for nearly three months.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ZAMBOANGA CITY MAYOR CELSO LOBREGAT, SAYING:
"From the quick response and the tight hug that she gave, she was happy to be free."
Her 14-year-old son is still being held by suspected militants.
Lunsman and her son were vacationing on Basilan when gunmen captured them.
Officials say her husband was in contact with the kidnappers.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ZAMBOANGA CITY MAYOR CELSO LOBREGAT, SAYING:
"The communication between the kidnappers and the husband has been going on for quite some time."
Lunsman was born in the Philippines and adopted by a U.S. couple.
Authorities believe the kidnappers are connected to al Qaeda, which is active in the area.
Jessica Gray, Reuters