Palace: Gov’t focused on pursuit of Abu Sayyaf

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang cautioned yesterday against  speculation that Germans Stefan Viktor Okonek and  Henrike Dielen were ransomed from the Abu Sayyaf.

Speaking to reporters, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the administration is focused on the pursuit of the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers to bring them to justice.

“It’s not good to make any speculations, especially when we all know that our country has relations with Germany,” he said. “What we can assure (the public) is the enforcement of appropriate laws that may cover that.”

President Aquino had announced that the focus was to relentlessly pursue the kidnappers when asked if the government would conduct an investigation into the alleged ransom payment, Coloma said.

Aquino said not one centavo of the reported P250-million ($5.57-million) ransom money had come from the Office of the President.

“My focus is the Abu Sayyaf, rather than the ransom,” he said.

“That is what I’m working on together with the chief of staff, the chief of the PNP (Philippine National Police), the SND (secretary of national defense) and the SILG (secretary of the interior and local government) because this Abu Sayyaf has been a long-time problem.

“Their continued operation affects our relationships with various neighboring states, so I think it’s only right for the state to be as ceaseless when it comes to pursuing them. And that is what’s ongoing now.”

Bad weather, tough task

Troops hunting down the kidnappers of Okonek and Dielen are facing bad weather and a task made more difficult by the terrorists’ blending in with the civilian population.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said the soldiers have to be deliberate as the terrorist camps are located within civilian communities.

“The rains there are continuous,” he said. “Second, the (Abu Sayyaf) camp is actually a community. It’s not the usual camp with physical barriers and trenches. Part of the challenge is the mixing of bandits with innocent civilians.” 

Cabunoc said troops had found civilians in the area where the abandoned Abu Sayyaf camps are located.

“Joint Task Group Sulu commander Col. Alan Arrojado said they even found civilians picking lanzones,” he said. “They were in a hurry because they were afraid of soldiers. Fortunately, the soldiers were with a former MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) member and they were told not to be afraid of soldiers because they do not harm innocent civilians.” 

Cabunoc said troops have yet to encounter the terrorists, who are still holding about 10 hostages.

“We have to validate whatever information we get,” he said. “We cannot disclose them. We do not want to compromise the conduct of operations on the ground.” – With Alexis Romero