AFP casts doubt on Abu Sayyaf P250-M ransom video

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) questioned the authenticity of a P250-million ransom the extremist group Abu Sayyaf allegedly received for the release of German hostages last month.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, spokesperson for the military, said that stacks of P1,000 bills seen in a video released by the group are easy to fake.

Cabunoc maintained that that there were no negotiations made with the armed group and military leaders are not privy to the payment of any ransom.

"Kawawa naman 'yung mga kababayan natin, maaapektuhan sila. Napakadali kasing magpagawa ng pekeng pera ngayon, lalo't malapit na ang eleksyon e merong mga masasamang loob na nagpapagawa ng pera," he said in an interview with dzMM.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. ordered an investigation on the video, posted on Facebook by Abu Sayyaf spokesman Muamar Askali, also known as Abu Rami.

The video clip lasted about three minutes and showed the militants looking at the neatly stacked money with the black flag associated with the jihadist organization Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) behind them.

Last month, troops took custody of German nationals  Dr. Stefan Okonek, 72, and his partner, Henrite Dielen, 55, at a checkpoint in Patikul, Sulu after being held hostage of the Abu Sayyaf group.

The radicals had showed Okonek and Dielen in a video released in September on YouTube protesting Germany's support of the United States' campaign against the ISIS in the Middle East. They afterward demanded P250 million in ransom for the release of the Germans.

Cabunoc said the military hopes to recover the alleged amount from the insurgents once it is proven to have been paid.

"Ngunit titingnan natin, hindi natin huhusgahan hangga't walang kumpirmasyon at maimbestigahan ito," he added. - Camille Diola