Release of Germans leaves 11 to 15 hostages still in Abu hands

By: Julie S. Alipala - 10 years ago

Abu Sayyaf. AFP FILE PHOTO

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—The release of German nationals Dr. Stefan Viktor Okonek and Henrite Dielen Friday night brings up the question of what has happened to 11 to 15 other hostages still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf, some of them for up to four years already.

Lieutenant General Rustico Guerrero, chief of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, admitted they have yet to safely recover 11 remaining hostages— two Europeans, a Malaysian, a Chinese and seven Filipinos.

A group based in Sulu said its count of the Abu Sayyaf’s remaining hostages stands at 15.

Guerrero said the military’s actions and those of the police may not be publicized much but they were aimed at securing the freedom of European birdwatchers Ewold Horn, a Dutchman, and Lorenzo Vinciguerra, a Swiss national.

Horn and Vinciguerra were seized in Tawi-Tawi on February 1, 2012 and were subsequently transferred to Sulu.

Guerrero said there were also efforts to free Malaysian marine police officer Kons Zakiah Aleip, who was abducted in July; Chan Sai Chuin, 32, a Chinese national kidnapped in Kunak, Sabah, on June 26, 2014 and the seven Filipinos.

“We conduct continuous security operations together with the PNP and there is no let-up,” Guerrero said, without elaborating what these operations were.

He said the captives were being held by various Abu Sayyaf factions.

The Sulu-based group Bangsamoro Against Kidnapping and Other Crimes (Bassakao) said the military’s figure on the number of Abu Sayyaf hostages was wrong.

Dr. Raden Ikbala, one of the organizers of Bassakao, said they have documented at least 15 victims.

He said his group has been trying to ascertain the condition of some victims but military movements in the hinterlands keep them from doing so.

The Philippine National Police’s Anti-Kidnapping Group said its list of victims includes Japanese treasure hunter Toshio Ito, who was abducted on July 16, 2010.

Guerrero said Ito was dropped from the military’s list because nothing has been heard of him since 2012.