Gov’t to pursue Abu Sayyaf even after release of captives–Palace
MANILA, Philippines — Malacanang on Saturday vowed to continue its military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) even after it freed it’s two German captives.
“With the release from captivity of the two German nationals, our security forces will continue efforts to stem the tide of criminality perpetrated by bandit elements,” Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.
On Friday night, the Abu Sayyaf released Viktor Stefan Okonek and Henrite Dielen in Patikul, Sulu. On Saturday morning, the two hostages arrived at the Villamor Airbase in Manila.
Coloma, however, said the government has not changed its “no ransom” policy amid reports that P250 million was paid in exchange for the Germans’ freedom.
He said the government, however, was determining the circumstances that led to the release of Okonek and Dielen.
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