FILE – In this Oct. 14, 2015 file photo, Col. Restituto Padilla, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, watches a video purportedly showing for the first time two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipino woman who were abducted last month from a southern Philippines resort, following a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo at suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File
Ever wonder why the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) did not ask a ransom as of yet for their Filipino hostage from Samal Island in Davao del Norte?
A source of the Manila Bulletin said, November 9, 2015, this is both good and bad news.
It is good because there is no ransom yet asked by the Sawadjaan ASG faction under Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, the source said, and the Filipina, Marites Flor, could possibly be freed along with the three foreigners snatched on Samal Island on September 21, he said.
The bad news is that it is also possible Flor could be made a “sacrifice” if nothing happens with the ransom the ASG is demanding, P1 billion each for the two Canadian and one Norwegian hostages, the source, a senior leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), added.
Requesting his name be not identified, the source from Jolo, Sulu said he was able to speak over dinner yesterday, November 8, 2015 in Zamboanga City with a military intelligence officer and a Sulu native who are familiar with the ways of the ASG.
Meanwhile, the Philippine government has maintained its policy on not negotiating with terrorists or kidnappers, as well as not paying any ransom for hostages’ freedom.
The policy of the government does not change. We do not negotiate in instances like this. To us, the ransom demand does not have impact because we don’t negotiate,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
It can be recalled that on November 3, 2015, the United States-based SITE Intelligence Group posted on its website a video of the four hostages, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, who spoke about the ransom demands.
The three foreigners were given the opportunity to speak. Flor did not speak, thus, the notion that there is no ransom the ASG wants for her freedom.
The source said the “Sawadjaan-ASG group holding the Samal Island KVs (kidnapping victims) in Patikul (Sulu) put no ransom on Pinay victim as she’s considered “low value”, meaning what they could get for her would be a small change compared to the foreigners’ worth.
“But [my] source/s said when the kidnap group is pressured by lack of attention to their demand, the Pinay could be ‘sacrificed’,” the MNLF leader said.
“Moreover, (the) Group (Sawadjaan) said they may resort to doing other ‘spectacular’ act to prove they mean business,” he added.
When asked what the bandits meant by “spectacular,” he said, “My understanding is that when terrorists say ‘spectacular,’ it could mean horrible, contemptible.”
Records of the ASG in Sulu and Basilan showed they have beheaded some of their hostages, Filipinos and foreigners alike. They have also conducted bombings that killed several people.
Manila Bulletin was not able to confirm this report from other sources as of press time.
http://www.mb.com.ph/%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8Babu-sayyaf-planning-something-spectacular-if-demands-not-met/
Meanwhile, the Philippine government has maintained its policy on not negotiating with terrorists or kidnappers, as well as not paying any ransom for hostages’ freedom.
It can be recalled that on November 3, 2015, the United States-based SITE Intelligence Group posted on its website a video of the four hostages, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, who spoke about the ransom demands.
The source said the “Sawadjaan-ASG group holding the Samal Island KVs (kidnapping victims) in Patikul (Sulu) put no ransom on Pinay victim as she’s considered “low value”, meaning what they could get for her would be a small change compared to the foreigners’ worth.
“Moreover, (the) Group (Sawadjaan) said they may resort to doing other ‘spectacular’ act to prove they mean business,” he added.
Records of the ASG in Sulu and Basilan showed they have beheaded some of their hostages, Filipinos and foreigners alike. They have also conducted bombings that killed several people.
http://www.mb.com.ph/%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8Babu-sayyaf-planning-something-spectacular-if-demands-not-met/
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.