Malaysian exec confirms Sayyaf ransom demand

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines – The Malaysian consul general has confirmed that the Abu Sayyaf had demanded a ransom of P8 million (not P80 million as earlier reported) for a Malaysian national it seized in Indanan, Sulu last May 7, a police official said yesterday.

Director Felicisimo Khu, chief of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operation for Western Mindanao, said Superintendent Amil Baanan, Sulu police director, also confirmed the ransom demand for Mohammad Nazaruddin Bin Saidin.

Khu said the Malaysian consul general in Manila called up Inspector Moh. Khan Kamlon, Indanan police chief, informing him about the ransom demand.

The Malaysian official, Khu said, also disclosed that the kidnappers initially demanded P5 million for the safe release of Saidin who was snatched in a village in Indanan town while buying gecko lizards.

The Sulu police identified Saidin’s kidnappers as Alhabsy Misaya and a certain Marjuli, Abbas, Salip, and Annuar, all belonging to the Abu Sayyaf unit based in Indanan.  – With Alexis Romero