Kin say kidnappers demand P2.5-M ransom or teen will be beheaded

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Unidentified kidnappers in Basilan, one of Mindanao provinces where the Abu Sayyaf operates, had threatened to behead the 16-year-old boy they abducted in Lamitan City on May 19 unless ransom was paid, the family said.

The kidnappers were demanding P2.5 million, the family of Nico Sebastian said.

Sebastian went to the house of a friend on May 19 and failed to come home since.

Chief Inspector Edwin Placio, Lamitan police director, said on May 26, the kidnappers let Nico talk to his mother.

“He begged to be fetched from where he is presently located. The conversation did not last long as it was abruptly cut,” Placio said.

Janet Sebastian Tahil, the victim’s eldest sister, told police investigators that two days later, she received a call from an unidentified cellular number.

She said the male voice gave them three days to deliver the demand.

Tahil said the male voice had warned them that failure on their part to comply with the demand would result in the beheading of her brother.

She said the kidnappers pledged to send Nico’s head through the mail.

Nico went missing after visiting his childhood friend Nadsmhir Francisco.

Mayor Roderick Furigay described the two boys as bosom friends.

“In fact, the Sebastian family took care of Nadsmhir and helped him in his high school education,” he said.

Furigay said Nico’s reason for visiting Nadsmhir, who hails from Muhammad Ajul town, could be that the latter disappeared for a long time and just recently resurfaced.

He said Nadsmhir is now being considered a suspect in Nico’s kidnapping.

Placio said since Nico’s disappearance, Nadsmhir has not been seen again.