Kin of kidnapped businessman believe he’s still alive
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The family of Basilan businessman Larry delos Santos, whom the Abu Sayyaf kidnapped last December 16, continues to cling to hope he is alive despite rumors he long died in captivity.
“My dad is alive and I know it,” Michael delos Santos, a son of the kidnapped businessman said.
Abu Sayyaf gunmen, led by Puruji Indama, issued an ultimatum to the Delos Santos family on February 17 to pay the lowered ransom demand of P5 million or they would hurt the victim.
The younger Delos Santos said the family received a report his father had died of illness, but “we don’t believe in that report.”
He admitted that the family got an ultimatum from the Abu Sayyaf.
“We cannot afford such amount; we can’t even raise P1 million,” he said.
Pressed why the family believed his father was still alive, Michael DeLos Santos said they found new hope when another group contacted them and relayed a new ransom demand of P3 million.
Basilan Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul, who is also provincial crisis manager, said there has been no fresh information on Delos Santos.
“There were even reports he died in captivity but there was no evidence,” he said.
Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu, head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao, said they learned that negotiations for Delos Santos’ freedom were continuing.
“There is no indication that Mr. Delos Santos is dead,” he said.
In Cotabato City, the wife of kidnapped Chinese-Filipino trader Eulogio Yu issued another appeal to her husband’s captors to free him as soon as possible.
Speaking over the Church-run Radio dxMS, Kathy Yu said she has been experiencing sleepless nights since her husband was abducted more than 60 days ago.
Kathy was with her husband when a group of armed men seized them on January 18. She managed to escape.
“I have been traumatized and I keep on asking how is Adin doing now? Where is he? Is he eating enough food? Is he taking medicine? Please, to the kidnappers, let him go,” she said.
Authorities said since the kidnapping, there were attempts by some groups to get money from the Yu family.
But the family demanded proof of life, which prompted these groups to cut communication.
Vice Mayor Muslim Sema said this triggered suspicions that Yu may have died in captivity.
When the kidnappers’ getaway vehicle was recovered shortly after the abduction, investigators found traces of blood in it.
Subsequent DNA testing confirmed the blood belonged to the victim.
