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Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Military nixes ransom payment

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MILITARY authorities have urged the families of the four kidnap victims—two police woman and two civilians snatched by Abu Sayyaf-affiliated terrorist group—not to succumb to the ransom demand by the kidnappers.

“We are discouraging them [to pay], and to trust us in our efforts to rescue them [victims] safely,” Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the military’s Joint Task Force Sulu, currently pursuing the terrorist kidnappers, said Thursday.

He said paying the ransom demand would only encourage them to continue in their kidnapping activities.

The terrorist kidnap group had been reportedly asking P5 million and P300,000 for the release of the two policewoman and two of their companions, but PNP chief Oscar Albayalde refused to give in saying “that’s a terror activity, so we do not give in to these kinds of demands to them we consider terrorist.”

Police woman P02 Bennierose Alvarez and P01 Dinah Humahad, along with Jakosalem Ahamad Blas and Faizal Ahidji were on their way back to Jolo town after strolling on the Quezon beach when flagged down and forcibly taken by the ASG last week.

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Sobejana, for his part, said they could not compel the families of the kidnap victims to pay ransom just to ensure the safety of their loved ones.

“Of course, we understand the sentiments of the families who want to make sure that their loved ones will go home safe and alive but on our part, we are doing our best,” said Sobejana.

“We cannot compel them [victims’ families] not to give in…but for us, we will stop ransom payment…we need to do all we can,” he added.

Two days after the kidnapping incident, ground troops on a search and rescue mission encountered a terrorist group believed to have had a hand in the kidnapping.

As troops pursue the ASG bandits, a constant coordination with local officials and religious leaders in the area was progressing to convince the suspects to just free the victims.

Sobejana tagged the group of Mujir Rada as responsible for the kidnapping of the four victims. 

He expressed fears that if ransom was paid, the Abu Sayyaf would only use the money to buy firearms and continue with their illegal activities.

“Our position is no ransom policy because the more we give ransom, the more there will be kidnapping because it’s becoming a lucrative venture for them,” said Sobejana.

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