‘Military intelligence is an oxymoron’
If it’s true that a P250-million ransom was paid for the German kidnap victims Viktor Stefan Okonek, 71, and Henrike Dielen, 55, then the bandit group Abu Sayyaf got a windfall.
With the huge amount, the Islamic terrorist group would be able to buy more sophisticated arms and ammunition to be used against our military troops and innocent civilians.
The terrorist group can now afford to buy more high-speed boats to be used for kidnappings in the high seas and raids on beach resorts.
The Abu Sayyaf could even part with some of the loot so the police, military and local authorities would slacken their search-and-destroy operations against the now wealthy group.
These terrorists are not greedy because they are known to share their loot.
In the negotiations for the release of European and Malaysian kidnap victims during the administration of then President Erap, a Cabinet member and certain Sulu officials allegedly got commissions from the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.
The Cabinet member, who was tasked by Erap to negotiate with the Moro kidnappers, reportedly bought a crematorium from his share of the ransom.
So which national or local officials got their share of the loot in the latest Abu Sayyaf caper?
* * *
In danger of being taken hostage next by the Abu Sayyaf terrorists are guests of some island resorts in Palawan province, like those at El Nido and Amanpulo, reputedly one of the favorite playgrounds of Hollywood stars.
The German hostages who were rescued recently were sailing on a yacht when they were captured by the terrorist group off Palawan.
There might be a repeat of the raid on Dos Palmas resort off Puerto Princesa City on May 27, 2001, and the kidnapping of the two German nationals.
The Abu Sayyaf pounced on the guests of Dos Palmas, a most unlikely target since there is an Air Force base in the capital city of Puerto Princesa which could immediately have sent helicopters or fighter jets to give chase.
However, the Western Command chief at the time was allegedly playing a round of golf and didn’t believe reports that the resort, which is right under his nose, was the target of a raid.
The Abu Sayyafs, who were coming from Basilan, had either El Nido or Amanpulo in mind, but apparently got lost along the way and ended up in Dos Palmas, according to intelligence reports.
Among the guests taken by the Abu Sayyafs from this resort, which also had pricey rates, were a construction tycoon and three Americans, one of whom was beheaded by the terrorists.
Most of the young women kidnapped were raped in captivity in Basilan.
* * *
If the government didn’t pay any ransom for the German nationals, how in heaven’s name did the emissary who brought the ransom payment to the Abu Sayyaf get past soldiers who reportedly surrounded the terrorists’ lair?
The Armed Forces high command claimed Army and Marine troops were within shooting distance from the terrorists and were just waiting for orders to attack the hostage-takers.
And how did military intelligence not notice the huge withdrawals from banks in Zamboanga City or Manila?
A friend of mine told me once that the term “military intelligence” is an oxymoron.
An oxymoron is a combination of contradictory words like “cruel kindness.”
* * *
The Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), an organization that teaches young boys virtues like trustworthiness, has been dragged into the gutter because of Vice President Jojo Binay.
Binay, the BSP president for many years now, is being accused of stealing people’s money amounting to millions.
Even if the accusation is not true, the BSP’s reputation has already been tainted.
