Basilan girl's abductors demand P4-M ransom

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits holding a nine-year-old girl captive in the mountains of Basilan have reportedly demanded P4-million ransom in exchange for her release, local officials said.

Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay disclosed the demand following his visit to the family of the kidnap victim, a Grade 3 pupil who was abducted last Nov. 26 by four motorcycle-riding armed men in Barangay Malakas.

Furigay said though that authorities in Lamitan were verifying the report.

He believes that the girl’s kidnappers could be the same ones behind the abduction of two non-government organization workers and other captives.

Basilan Vice Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakalahul, chairman of the provincial crisis committee, said they have received a similar report that the girl’s kidnappers have demanded P4 million.

“However, this information has yet to be validated as there are other groups which might be taking advantage (of the situation),” Sakalahul said.

There were reports that relatives of previous kidnapping victims had paid ransom only to find out that the money went to the wrong group, thus prolonging the captivity of the victims.

The Abu Sayyaf is also still holding captive nursing student Joed Anthony Pilanga who was seized here last October and brought to Basilan. Pilanga’s kidnappers have demanded P20-million ransom.            – Roel Pareño