MANILA: The Abu Sayyaf's longest-held hostage had escaped from the extremist group following a gunbattle between Philippine marines and his captors, a military spokesman said on Friday. Roland Ulah escaped on Wednesday after more than three years in captivity in the confusion of the clash outside Patikul town on southern Jolo island, Lt Col Daniel Lucero said. One marine and an undetermined number of guerrillas were killed and 11 other soldiers were injured, he added. Lucero said that Ulah hid in a ravine and was found by local villagers the following day when he asked for directions to get to...
