Deadline lapses, operations vs Abu Sayyaf ongoing

From Rappler (Oct 17): Deadline lapses, operations vs Abu Sayyaf ongoing

There is still no word, as of this posting, on the situation of 71-year-old German doctor Stefan Viktor Okonek

The 5 pm deadline of the Abu Sayyaf Group to the authorities has lapsed but there is still no word, as of this posting, on the situation of 71-year-old German doctor Stefan Viktor Okonek.

The kidnappers threatened to behead 71-year-old medical doctor if their demands are not met – P250 million in ransom and the withdrawal of Germany from the US-led war against the Islamic State (ISIS). Earlier in the day, the Abu Sayyaf moved the original deadline of 3 pm to 5 pm.

The police and the military confirmed that "law enforcement operations" involving elite troops were ongoing. Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc is tight-lipped about the operations but he said there's been no firefight so far.

"Ongoing ang law enforcement operations. Hindi ko lang masabi na saan, kailan o saan specifically. Ayaw natin ang ma-endanger ang buhay... (Law enforcement operations are ongoing. I cannot tell you when or where specifically. We do not want to endanger the lives [of the hostages]), said Cabunoc said.

"Ang tropa natin ay nandoon. Sila ay gumagawa ng tasking na naka-prescribe doon sa specifications na gusto ng Special Action Committee (The troops are there. They are doing tasks prescribed by the Special Action Committee)," Cabunoc added.

 

[Video report: Operations vs Abu Sayyaf ongoing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8w46CUBppro&list=UUdnZdQxYXnbN4uWJg96oGxw]

 

 

Abu Sayyaf: We're surrounded

The military has about 3,000 troops in Sulu right now. In a Friday afternoon interview with RMN radio, Abu Sayyaf spokespreson Abu Rami said that they're already surrounded by the military.

"As of now, I tell you that the military troops [are] already inside... by the side of our camp. We just like to tell the public... if something happens [to this] person before the ulitmatum date, they should blame the government of the Philippines and the Armed Forces of the Philippines," Abu Rami told RMN Zamboanga.

The Abu Sayyaf demanded that a pullout of troops in the area. "We will definitely kill Stefan Okonek," he added.

The provincial government on Thursday gave the go-signal to the police and the military to prepare for "law enforcement operations" against the Abu Sayyaf.

Law enforcement operations, based on the plan laid out by the local government, include the serving of warrants and checkpoint patrols.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/72290-german-hostage-deadline-lapses