Elite troops ready to strike at ASG holding German physician

From InterAksyon (Oct 17): Elite troops ready to strike at ASG holding German physician

A senior military officer told Interaksyon.com Firday afternoon that elite troops have located and taken position at striking distance from a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits holding 71-year-old Stefan Viktor Okonek, a German doctor who they threatened to behead if their demand for P250 million ransom is not satisfied at 3 p.m.

"These elite forces can storm the bandits' defense right at the place where the hostage and others are being held," he said, requesting anonymity because he is not authorized to speak on the matter.

He said it would be a "lighting assault" against the bandits and "quick extrication of the victims" from the killing zone.

"The infantry will also quickly come in while the commandos make their way out to safer grounds with the rescued victims," the officer said.

Meanwhile, a report said the Abu Sayyaf through its spokesman, Abu Rani, has extended the deadline for two hours more.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front called on the Abu Sayyaf not to carry out its threat to execute one of two Germans it is holding hostage in Sulu even as it urged government to stem the worsening problem of kidnapping.

MILF vice chairman Ghadzali Jaafar said the organization’s leadership is awaiting advice from the government if they should step in and help secure the safe release of the hostages.

Jaafar said executing Stefan Viktor Okonek, as the Abu Sayyaf has threatened to do unless a P25-million ransom is paid by Friday, would be a great crime not only against the law of man but of divine law as well.

On Thursday, the military commander on Sulu said Governor Sakur Tan had given security forces the go-ahead to launch “law enforcement operations” against the Abu Sayyaf.

Jaafar also said any atrocity committed by the Abu Sayyaf would not help solve the problems of the Bangsamoro but would, in fact, reinforce the negative image of the region and its people.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/97417/elite-troops-ready-to-strike-at-asg-holding-german-physician