YEARENDER: Abus admit ransom payments

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Although tagged in several kidnappings, it was only recently that Abu Sayyaf bandits admitted receiving ransom in exchange for the freedom of their captives.

The bandit group released more than a dozen of their hostages in 2013, including a Taiwanese, two Malaysian-Chinese and a Jordanian journalist, but there was no mention of ransom payment.

In November, the Abu Sayyaf released a video showing what the bandits claimed to be P250 million paid to them in exchange for the freedom of German couple Stefan Viktor Okonek and Henrike Dielen.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. denied that ransom was paid, saying military pressure led to the freedom of Okonek and Dielen. The Germans were on a yacht in the high seas between Palawan and Malaysia in April 2014 when they were kidnapped.

Abu Sayyaf spokesman Muamar Askali, alias Abu Rami, posted on Facebook a video clip of the stacks of cash to dispute reports that no ransom was paid.

“We counter the Philippine government when they said that no-ransom policy. And now for the sake of the shariyah Islamiyah the no-ransom policy will be lost at this moment,” Rami said in the video clip.

The Senate and the House of Representatives have called for an investigation into Rami’s claim.

Jolo Mayor Hussin Amin also expressed alarm over the ransom payment, saying it would embolden the Abu Sayyaf to continue its kidnapping activities. He also raised concern that the bandit group could afford to purchase high-powered firearms.

Ransom for Malaysian

Security officials based in Malaysia also claimed that three million ringgit was paid to secure the freedom of Malaysian-Chinese fish breeder Kun Mun Hua, alias Chan Sai Chuin. Kun was held captive in Sulu after he was kidnapped on June 17 in Kunak, Semporna in Sabah.

Military and police authorities have not commented on any ransom payment, saying only that Kun’s release came after negotiations conducted by two civilian emissaries with the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.

Despite the setback in the government’s no-ransom campaign, the military launched offensives that resulted in the death and wounding of scores of Abu Sayyaf militants.

Swiss hostage escapes

Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero said the offensives led one of the European captives – Swiss birdwatcher Lorenzo Vinciguerra – to his freedom when he fought one of his captors.

Vinciguerra said his companion, Dutch Ewold Horn, was too weak to escape.

Guerrero said they are continuing pursuit operations to rescue the remaining hostages, including Japanese Toshio Ito; Chinese Dina Lim Iraham, 45, and her daughter Yahong Lim Tan, 19; and Malaysian policeman Kons Zakiah Aleip. 

The Abu Sayyaf’s strategy of negotiating with the families of the victims will continue to test the government’s no-ransom policy.