Keralite who dodged Philippine rebels to return by Tuesday


KOZHIKODE: K.V. Biju, who managed to escape from the clutches of Abu Sayyaf militants in the Philippines and who is now safe in Sulu in that country is likely to reach Kerala Tuesday, his father said Saturday.

"We have been told that the Indian embassy there will take all the necessary steps and they are doing that. We are all waiting to see him," said Narayanan, Biju's father, adding that his son is likely to reach here Tuesday.

Biju's family is very upbeat about the news of their son's safety and distributed sweets. Biju's mother Nalini said they were happy at the news of his safety.

"No doubt this has happened just because of the prayers of all our near and dear ones besides wellwishers of us, We are really thankful to god almighty, who made this a reality," said Nalini, with tears of joy running down her cheeks.

Biju was now with the police in the Sulu province of the Philippines, Syed Akbaruddin, external affairs ministry spokesman, had said in New Delhi.

Biju was kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf militant group in the Philippines June 22, 2011, when on a visit to the coastal town of Patikul, the residence of his spouse Elena.

Speaking to the media here over phone from the Sulu province, Biju said that he literally ran to freedom when his captors were fast asleep.

"This was never a planned escape, but instead it just happened like that when I found out in the middle of the night that those who took me captive were fast asleep. Sensing this was my opportunity, I ran to my freedom," said 36-year-old Biju.

Biju was employed in a garment factory in Kuwait.

Narayanan said that he spoke to Buju and that he was safe there and is just waiting to fly down to India.

The Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim separatist group in the southern Philippines, has been pitching for an independent Islamic state in western Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago in the Philippines.

The group is known for kidnapping foreign nationals and demanding heavy ransom for them.

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