(MENAFN- Arab Times) The relatives and friends of the Indian national, Biju Kolara Veettil, 37, who was able to escape on Friday from his alleged abductors in Jolo, Sulu in Southern Philippines expressed happiness that he was finally reunited with his Filipina wife and two sons after he was allegedly kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf Group in June 2011 while visiting his wife's hometown in Jolo.
Biju reportedly walked to freedom after his abductors were all taking a nap after fasting for Ramadan.
"I'm very happy that he is finally free. I just spoke with him yesterday and he is doing good though he lost a lot of weight while in captivity," disclosed Saneesh Konnarayil, Biju's cousin, to the Arab Times on Sunday as he showed on his mobile phone the photos of Biju before and after his alleged abduction.
Konnarayil recounted the roller coaster of emotions that they went through when Biju went missing 14 months ago. He maintained that no ransom was paid and Biju walked away freely from his abductors.
"His parents in Kerala are very happy and are anxiously waiting for his return. He will be flying back to India in the next two or three days," informed Konnarayil. He added that Biju will take his time to rest and decide whether he will come back to Kuwait where he had been working for the past nine years as an operations manager of a garment company in Kuwait that supplies garments to the US Military.
"Biju is very friendly and is known for his kind heart and generosity. In fact, whenever someone is in need, he readily gives money to his friends and most of the time, he doesn't collect it back from them. He is very helpful, that's why God has made a way for him to be finally free," pointed out Raju S. Kandy, one of Biju's close friends who looks forward to seeing Biju soon.
On the other hand, Konnarayil, who had been following up the case of his cousin since the time he went missing, thanked the Philippine Embassy for keeping him updated on the case.
"I have met with the Philippine Vice-Consul Sheila Monedero before and she provided me copies of the feedback of the Philippine authorities on the status of Biju's case. I would like to thank the Philippine embassy for keeping us tab," he stated.
Konnarayil and Kandy showed to the Arab Times some of the photos of Biju who used to be clean shaven as compared to his heavily bearded photo after his freedom from captivity.
"We hope that he can recover fast from this traumatic experience and move on with his life, being a happy and optimistic person that he is," stated Konnarayil.
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