Abus demand P5 M for hostages

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Abu Sayyaf reportedly demanded a P5-million ransom in exchange for the release of their two civilian captives in Sulu, an official said.

Presidential Assistant for Sulu Amilbahar Amilasan said information reaching his office disclosed that the demand was reportedly relayed to the family of kidnap victims Rolando Benitez and Edmar Molina.

Amilasan said there was unconfirmed information that the two victims have been executed, but the reports have yet to be verified by authorities.

“We hope it is not true and we appeal to their captors to free the victims because they are innocent and poor people,” Amilasan said.

Benitez and Molina, workers of Panglima Estino town Mayor Munib Estino, were seized last Thursday morning while aboard the mayor’s Hummer.

But Amilasan doubted the demand, citing that the ransom was too huge for the family of the two victims to raise.

“These victims are poor and the ransom, if true, is too much,” Amilasan said.

He said the authorities are still verifying the reported ransom demand while Estino has been establishing contacts to negotiate with the Abu Sayyaf group led by Commander Kirrih.

The military said the abduction of the two civilian workers was a desperate act of the Abu Sayyaf to raise logistic support.