ZAMBOANGA CITY — The homegrown terror group Abu Sayyaf is demanding P30 million in ransom for five Indonesian fishermen being held captive by the group for more than a month now.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command chief, said government troops in Sulu have intercepted this information about the ransom demand.
Sobejana said the captors called up the fishing company, where five Indonesians worked, to relay the demand.
Sobejana said even the Filipino who serves as the fishing company’s liaison here is also aware of the captors’ demand.
The five Indonesians were snatched in waters off Lahad Datu in Sabah, Malaysia last Jan. 15 by a group reportedly led by a certain Bong.
They were brought to Sulare Island, part of Sulu’s Parang town. The island is located some 16 kilometers from the Sulu mainland.
There, the captives were handed over to another group, reportedly led by a certain Abu Mike.
The five Indonesian captives have been identified as Riswanto Bin Hayono, Edi Bin Lawalopo, La Baa, Arizal Kastamiran and Arshad Bin Dahlan Juragan.
Sobejana said the military would stick to the long standing policy of no ransom.
“The no ransom policy should be upheld,” Sobejana said.
“We will do our best to safely rescue the kidnap victims. That is the assurance we can give to the families and loved ones of the victims,” he added.
A sixth victim in the hands of the group is Dr. Daniel Moreno, a Jolo-based physician who was abducted last Feb. 4.
The Abu Sayyaf is notorious for kidnapping, often inflicting harm on its captors if its ransom demands are not met. The group is able to stay alive despite massive offensives by the military.