Biju comes home from the forests of Philippines

Kozhikode, Aug 19 (IANS) It was a homecoming for 36-year-old K.V. Biju, who was held hostage in the forests of southern Philippines for over a year by the Abu Sayyaf Group, one of the most violent Islamic separatist sects in the south east Asian country.

"It was god almighty who gave me a chance to escape from them and I did," said Biju, who arrived at the airport here Sunday from the Philippines with his wife Elena and two children.

On Aug 10, Biju escaped from his abductors while they were sleeping.

Biju had been kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf Group in the Philippines on June 22 last year while he was visiting his wife Elena's house in the coastal town of Patikul.

Biju was employed in a garment factory in Kuwait, but does not plan to go back.

"It was an emotional moment for all -- first at the airport and then at his home where Biju's mother was waiting for him. The entire village gave a reception to him. His family had arranged lunch for a thousand people," said K. Dasan, the local legislator at Koilandy near here.