Woman hostage released by Abu Sayyaf militants in Philippines

DANAG, Philippines, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- The militant Islamist group Abu Sayyaf released an elementary school teacher it had taken hostage in the Philippines, a military spokesman said Friday.

Adrina Bongil, 30, a local school teacher, was released unharmed Thursday in the village of Dunag in Sulu province, and returned to relatives, Maj. Filemon Tan of the Western Mindanao Command said. He did not mention if a ransom, the common reason for Abu Sayyaf abductions, was paid.

Bongil was later debriefed by Philippine troops of Joint Task Force Sulu at the home of Kabir Elias Hayuduni, mayor of neighboring Patikul.

She'd been taken prisoner by five Abu Sayyaf gunmen Tuesday while riding in a vehicle on her way to work at Tuup Elementary School.