AFP spokesman rebukes critics speculating on German hostages’ release

From GMA News (Oct 18): AFP spokesman rebukes critics speculating on German hostages’ release

Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc on Saturday lashed out at critics insinuating Abu Sayyaf bandits freed their German hostages after ransom was paid, and not through military action.

In a phone-patch interview on GMA News TV's "Balitanghali," Cabunoc said, "Napakadali kasing mag-akusa sa ating security forces na kaya nakaalis, o nakalaya ang ating mga biktima dahil sa pagbibigay ng ransom... O ['di kaya'y] sadyang pinalusot ng ating mga kasundaluhan [ang Abu Sayyaf]."

Also, he said allegations that the military is remiss in its duties during hostage crisis involving the Abu Sayyaf is unfair.

"Sa akin, ito ay unfair para sa mga naghirap... Noong panahon namin, pinagbintangan din kami, pinalusot [umano] namin ang [mga dumukot sa] Burnhams, samantala habang kami ay nakikipagbakbakan, pinipili namin kung sino ang hostage, at kung sino ang hindi," he added.

He was referring to missionary couple Martin Burnham and Gracia Burnham who were among 20 foreign and local tourists seized by the bandit group from the Dos Palmas Beach Resort in Palawan. Martin was killed in the rescue operation.

"Hindi po madali iyon, pero irerespeto ko nalang mga opinyon ng mga armchair analysts na nagbibigay ng kanilang opinyon."

Earlier, Cabunoc denied Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Ramii's claim that his group released the victims upon payment of P250-million ransom.

"He can claim that, that may be a propaganda," Cabunoc said.

"We put pressure on them, that’s why we deployed K9 [units], special operations troops, and snipers... If anyone paid, we don’t [know] from the side of the Germans, whats definite is that we did not negotiate with them (Abu Sayyaf)," he added.

Meanwhile, Cabunoc said that while the two Germans have been released, pursuit operations against the bandit group is still ongoing.
Sa ngayon, tuloy-tuloy ang law enforcement operations, ipinag-utos na sa WestMinCom (Western Mindanao Command) ang full-scale deployment para sa combat operations, para ipakita ng Armed Forces na hindi lang ang Germans ang gustong palayain..." he said.

Kidnapping as 'hanapbuhay'

On the other hand, Cabunoc said they are looking into the reason behind kidnapping incidents in the southern Philippines.

"Hindi po natin titignan ang taong naghawak ng armas, ang titignan po natin diyan ay king bakit sila naghahawak ng armas," he said.

"May iba diyang wala nang opportunity sa kanilang komunidad, at ginagawa nilang hanapbuhay ang pangingidnap at paghihingi ng ransom," he added.

The Abu Sayyaf is believed to be holding up to 10 other hostages, including two European birdwatchers who were abducted in February 2012. The two Germans were seized last April while on a yacht in the waters between Palawan and Malaysia.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/384130/news/nation/afp-spokesman-rebukes-critics-speculating-on-german-hostages-release