Abu Sayyaf lowers ransom demand for Tawi-Tawi teacher

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Abu Sayyaf militants holding a teacher captive in Tawi-Tawi have reduced their ransom demand to mere payment of “board and lodging” or a token for the  “safekeeping” of the victim, according to a police official who is leading the rescue operation.

Superintendent Wainwright Taup, Tawi-Tawi provincial police commander, said the kidnappers of Omar Taup have lowered their demand to P350,000 from the original P1-million ransom, based on intelligence information.

Taup, a distant relative of the victim, also disclosed that negotiation efforts by family members continue.

“He seems to be alright,” Taup said, adding that the victim is being constantly transferred by his Abu Sayyaf captors to evade pursuing forces.

Taup said they have a lead on the possible areas where the victim is being held and moved.

The hostage, a teacher and principal of Notre Dame School of Tabawan in South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi, was taken after the Abu Sayyaf killed Fr. Reynaldo Rhoda in a botched kidnapping last Jan. 15.

It was reported that Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) bomber Dulmatin reportedly joined Abu Sayyaf leader Wahab Opao in the failed abduction of Fr. Rhoda.

The Marine Recon Company under the Marine Forces Recon Battalion, an elite unit under the Marines, killed Opao and a militant leader suspected to be Dulmatin last Jan. 31 in an operation in Bato-bato, Panglima Sugala town.

The cadaver of Opao was recovered during the encounter but the remains of the person believed to be Dulmatin was dug up 18 days later following a tip from a former Abu Sayyaf recruit.

DNA testing on samples of the remains has been conducted but no result has been made available.

Meanwhile, the Marine Recon Company that engaged the group of Dulmatin has been re-deployed in Sulu to help in the ongoing offensive against the remnants of the Abu Sayyaf and the JI operatives.

Lt. Col. Ruben Candelario, Marine Forces Recon Battalion chief, disclosed his company was deployed just this week and would join the Marines, Army, Air Force and Navy elements of the Joint Task Force Comet under Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban.

Sabban earlier disclosed that the military is addressing the Abu Sayyaf problem using a new and innovative offensive to neutralize its activities.