After more than a month in captivity, an architect of the Department of Agrarian Reform was released by his captors in Iligan City, Lanao del Sur Wednesday night.

Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, commander of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, said the victim, Pablo Mercado III, who was employed by DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, is in good condition when turned over to the government’s hands.

Dolorfino said Mercado was released around 10:30 p.m. at the vicinity of Camague village in Iligan City. He said the victim was later brought to the headquarters of the 103rd Brigade in Marawi City for debriefing.

“The release was made possible through the negotiations of the relatives of secretary Pangandaman and the CMC (crisis management committee) headed by Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintao Adiong Jr,” said Dolorfino.

Dolorfino said the kidnappers were also pressured into releasing the victim because of the continuous rescue operations mounted by government forces. He said he was not aware of any ransom paid to the kidnappers.

Dolorfino said the military has yet to identify Mercado's kidnappers. A number of armed groups are known to operate in the Lanao del Sur, including the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The 45-year-old Mercado was snatched by a group of armed men last October 23 while aboard a vehicle at the vicinity of Sitio Bliss, Barangay Bubong, in Saguiaran town, also in Lanao del Sur.– With a report from Noel Alamar, radio dzMM