Friday, October 2, 2015

Kidnappping is cottage industry in Mindanao

From Tempo (Oct 3): Kidnappping is cottage industry in Mindanao

Kidnappings in Mindanao are widespread because ransoms are being paid and proceeds of which are being shared with the community, a source from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) claimed yesterday.
The four hostages seized from an upscale resort last Sept. 21 in Samal Island, Davao del Norte are somewhere at the foot of Mt. Bud Daho in Sulu being guarded not only by the kidnappers but other armed men in the area.
 
The hostages – Canadians John Ridsel and Robert Hall and his Filipino girlfriend Maritess Flor and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad – are being held while kidnappers negotiate for ransom.
 
The MNLF source said contrary to the government’s no-ransom policy, ransoms were paid for those who were released or gained their freedom.
 
Poverty has driven many people to embrace kidnapping as a cottage industry, he added.
 
“Marami na daw tumutulong na may baril sa pag-secure ng apat na kidnapping victims dahil may share daw sila every time a ransom is paid,” the MNLF leader said.
 
Everyone who has a weapon is part of the security group, according to the source.

He said kidnappers share their loot to the lookouts, cooks, food and water carriers and other people who perform other tasks.
 
“Everyone in the farms (in Sulu) who has weapon,” he said, are joining the security for the two Canadians, a Norwegian, and a Filipino woman.

“It is the Enrile Doctrine, they want everybody happy,” he said.

The source was referring to Senator Juan Ponce Enrile who popularized the campaign slogan: “Gusto ko happy ka.”

This kind of collaboration, according to the source, began during the high-profile kidnapping of 21 foreigners in Sabah’s Sipadan island resort by the Abu Sayyaf Group in 2000.

The ASG allegedly received $25 million from Libya’s leader, the late Colonel Muammar Qaddafy.

Since then, kidnappings have become commonplace in the region.

http://www.tempo.com.ph/2015/10/03/kidnappping-is-cottage-industry-in-mindanao/

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