An Ilonggo seaman was one of 24 Filipinos freed by kidnappers in Nigeria Tuesday.

Freed was Elmer Nacionales, 52, chiefmate of the German-owned Baco-Liner 2 from which he and his companions were seized Jan. 20.

Elmer is the brother of Edwin Nacionales, project officer of the Eskwelahan sang Katawhan Negros Inc., a non-government organization based in Negros Occidental. Elmer is married to Vilma Nacionales, a school nurse in Hamtic, Antique, with whom he has two children Bon Elvin, a graduating nursing student, and Princess, a first year nursing student, Edwin said.

Edwin, who spoke to Elmer yesterday morning, said his brother told him they will return to the Philippines today. It appeared that the Filipinos were kidnapped by the Nigerian militants to bring attention to their political cause, Edwin said.

The hostage-takers appear to have taken them to expose their allegedly being left out of Nigerian national development, Edwin added.

Contrary to reports Edwin said Elmer informed him that they were treated well by their captors in the village where they were brought. Edwin said they were told that the kidnapping of his brother was the longest in Nigerian history.

The longest hostage-taking before had been 11 days, Edwin said. The families of the 24 Filipinos had been quietly coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs since they were informed of the January 20 kidnapping, Edwin said.

We were instructed to keep quiet, he said.

The Nacionales family is from Miag-ao, Iloilo, and Elmer graduated from the John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation in Iloilo.*CPG

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