No reason for AMLC to get involved in German kidnap case

MANILA, Philippines - The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) sees no reason to look into the kidnapping of two Germans who were freed by the Abu Sayyaf allegedly after payment of P250 million in ransom.

Bangko Sentral Governnor and AMLC chairman Amando Tetangco Jr. said the military had said no ransom was paid for kidnapped Germans Stefan Viktor Okonek and Henrike Dielen.

“If there is no ransom, there is no AMLC case,” Tetangco said.

A simple case of kidnapping would fall under the jurisdiction of the police, he added.

In a radio interview, Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Rami hinted that ransom was paid before Okonek and Dielen were released  last Oct. 17.

However, Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said news that ransom was paid could just be propaganda against the military.

“We do not know if there were negotiations,” he said. “We do not have knowledge on whether ransom was paid. They may be doing this to discredit the military.”

In previous Abu Sayyaf kidnappings, government and military officials have been accused of sharing in the ransom payments. Calls have been made for the AMLC to attempt to trace dirty money that might be funneled through the banking system.

Cabunoc said the military is focused on freeing the remaining 10 hostages that the Abu Sayyaf is believed to be holding.

The military will not stop its hunt for the terrorists, he added.

Naval blockade

Cabunoc said more troops would be sent to Sulu and a naval blockade would be imposed to prevent the Abu Sayyaf from escaping and prevent the entry of supplies for the Abu Sayyaf. 

“The focus of the chief of staff right now is to turn around the image of Sulu from being the kidnap capital in the Philippines into one of the most developed provinces, because this is the only way to end the Abu Sayyaf problem,” he said.

Last week, President Aquino said he did not authorize any ransom for the release of the Germans.

The government stands by its no-ransom policy, he added.

The government’s priority is the safety of all Abu Sayyaf hostages, Aquino said.– With Jaime Laude