AFP urges hard no-ransom stand

From Malaya Business Insight (Nov 6): AFP urges hard no-ransom stand

THE Armed Forces yesterday warned against payment of ransom to secure the freedom of three foreigners and a Filipina who were abducted from a posh resort in Samal Island in Davao del Norte last September 21.

AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla made the warning two days after the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf released a video of the hostages who relayed a P1 billion ransom demand for each of them.

“We all know that if we are going to entertain the demands of these people, of the group that perpetrated this, they will be encouraged to continue (their activities),” Padilla said.

Padilla said the Armed Forces has yet to establish the group affiliation of the kidnappers and their whereabouts, though multiple military sources said the four are indeed being held by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.

Padilla said operations are ongoing in areas where the military suspects the victims were brought. “There is no change in the activities or operations and law enforcement operations that we are doing there,” he said.

A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said paying ransom to the kidnappers will only fuel more kidnappings.

“Isipin niyo na lang na negosyo sila, pag kumikita sila, nakakatangap ng gusto nila tanggapin, e di na-e-encourage sila…’Yung pera parang gatong ‘yan, pag binibigyan mo sila at binabarayan mo sila,” the source said.

http://malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/afp-urges-hard-no-ransom-stand