Catapang apologizes over ‘misunderstanding’ in Sulu

Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Catapang Jr. has apologized to the Sulu government over a “misunderstanding” after they supposedly concealed details of the release of the two Germans abducted by the Abu Sayyaf.

“Everything was sorted out and resolved here during the meeting of [Catapang] and the people of Sulu [this morning].  [Catapang] expressed [apology] for the misunderstanding. They were satisfied by the result and also [Catapang’s] gesture,” AFP Public Affairs Office chief Lieutenant Harold Cabunoc said in a text message.

Cabunoc explained that the military was not able to inform the Special Action Committee immediately on the rescue of the German victims.

In a separate statement, the Sulu government said it was the first time that an AFP chief apologized to the people of Sulu.

Catapang visited Sulu Friday to meet with local officials, including Vice Governor Sakur Tan I, who represented his son Governor Sakur Tan II, during the consultative meeting attended by 15 Sulu mayors.

Catapang’s visit came a week after the Abu Sayyaf released Viktor Stefan Okonek and Henrite Dieter, both were seized by the Abu Sayyaf last April in Palawan while en route to Sabah. The Islamic extremist group said the Germans were released after the group received P250 million ransom, a claim that Philippine officials denied.

A few days after the  Germans were freed last Oct. 17, the Sulu officials said they were kept in the dark about the details of the release.

Civil society groups in Sulu also protested the supposed “lack of sincerity” by the military to involve the participation of the community in addressing problems such as kidnapping.

“We were not informed that the hostages were already rescued, it was only thru media reports that we became aware that they were already rescued Friday night and in the custody of the Armed Forces,” the Sulu government said in a statement released on Oct. 20.

Also during the visit, Catapang said he directed the military commanders to visit local officials and identify community problems with them.

“We will help identify development projects and other social interventions that will address directly the problems,” he said.

The Abu Sayyaf group is currently holding several other foreign and local hostages.

The military has deployed about 3,000 soldiers and several military dogs to hunt down the extremists.

Catapang said the military could declare a ceasefire provided that the Abu Sayyaf would release the rest of the hostages.

“That is possible but they need to release all hostages first. Sayang ang buhay ng mga batang iyan. Pagtulungan nating sila ay magbago,” he said.