Abu Sayyaf demanded P5 million initial ransom for Malaysian hostage–police

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Abu Sayyaf wanted to be initially paid P5 million for the Malaysian it has been holding captive in Indanan, Sulu since May 8, police authorities said.

But Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu, head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operation (Dipo) in Western Mindanao, said there was no indication the self-styled Islamist group with links to Osama Bin Laden’s al-Qaida network, would free Mohammad Nazaruddin Bin Saidin after the initial amount was paid.

“The Malaysian Consul General inform(ed) (Indanan police chief Inspector Mohammad Khan) Kamlon that the abductors allegedly demanded for P8 million in ransom money in exchange for the safe release of the kidnap victim and the kidnappers asked for initial payment of P5 million,” Khu said.

He said the Malaysian Consul general called Kamlon on May 16 to inform him about the ransom demand made by the group of Indanan-based Alhabsy Misaya.

Khu, meanwhile, said Saidin was reportedly being kept in an area in Barangay (village) Buansa.

Saidin, 38, was forcibly taken by Abu Sayyaf gunmen inside his host’s house in Kajatian village in Indanan around 12 midnight of May 8.

He was in Indanan to buy geckos from local hunters.

Chief Superintendent Beinvenido Latag, police director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said geckos are in demand in Sabah, the victim’s home state, as it reportedly cures several illnesses.

“The victim arrived in Jolo last April 30 and he has travel documents and clearance from the Bureau of Immigration,” Latag said.

Meanwhile, Khu released a report that said “Larry delos Santos was buried in the outskirts of Isabela City (in Basilan).”

Delos Santos was a Basilan resort owner abducted by the Abu Sayyaf in December.

Khu however said the report was still being validated.

Michael, a son of the victim’s, said during his meeting with Basilan Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul, he was told that his father had indeed died of an illness.

But in another report, which he got from the Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response (PACER), his father was supposedly killed by Abu Sayyaf gunmen at the height of a military operation against them.

Michael said the differing reports were confusing and prompted them to demand for proof.