Poser over release of two by Filipino gunmen

From The Sun Daily (Jun 1): Poser over release of two by Filipino gunmen

PETALING JAYA: Was a ransom paid for the release of the two women kidnapped by suspected Filipino gunmen on April 2?

This poser was raised after news agency Reuters reported today that the release of 29-year-old Chinese tourist Gao Hua Yuan and resort worker Marcy Dayawan, 40, in a joint effort by Malaysian and Philippines authorities was only achieved after the payment of a "large ransom".

However, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin said today that negotiations between the Philippine authorities and the kidnappers was all it took to secure the release of the two on Friday.

Quoting Philippine police sources, the Reuters report said the women were freed after a large amount of money was paid.

"It has been rare for Abu Sayyaf to release abductees without a ransom being paid," the report said without including details of the amount paid and source of the funds.

Mohd Bakri said the ransom demand made by the gunmen for the release of the duo was not paid.

"Of course the motive of every such kidnapping is ransom, but through negotiations nothing was paid for their freedom. The victims returned to their countries on Saturday and we have recorded their statements.

"We are investigating the case on all aspects including how it occurred and who was behind it. We hope to obtain leads and take action on those responsible.

"We also thank the Philippines government for assisting us," he said after attending the closing ceremony of the Inspector-General of Police Cup ten-pin bowling tournament at Sunway Pyramid.

He said police are investigating if local villagers were in cahoots with the gunmen.

Mohd Bakri said another kidnap victim, Chinese fish farm manager Yang Zai Lin, who was abducted at Pulau Baik in Lahad Datu, Sabah on May 6, was still being held at an undisclosed location in the southern Philippines.

He said it remains unknown if Yang was kidnapped by the same group responsible for the abduction of Gao and Marcy.

Gao and Marcy were snatched from the Singamata Reef Resort off Semporna by five gunmen on April 2.

Weeks later, it was revealed that the gunmen had demanded a ransom of US$11 million (RM36.4 million).

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1065229