ZAMBOANGA CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 12 May) Private negotiations begin for the safe release of a kidnapped nine-year old daughter of a politician held by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan island in the southern Philippines, officials said Friday.
Officials said two men kidnapped Donna May Ramos late Wednesday afternoon while playing with a friend in Lamitan town. "There is an ongoing negotiation and we were assured that the girl would soon be freed," said the town mayor Roderick Furigay.
Police and military said the victim is a daughter of Lamitan councilor Donnel Ramos. "The abductors fled on motorcycle toward the neighboring town of Tuburan, and we have alerted our soldiers in the area. We are helping the police track down the hostage," Brig. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, the island's military commander, told the Zamboanga Journal.
The victim's father told the mayor that they would not file criminal charges against the kidnappers so long they free the girl unharmed.
“We asked Donnel if he would file charges against the kidnappers, and he said no and they only wanted to see the girl freed safely. The negotiator, who was former Tuburan town official, assured us that Donna May will be released without ransom,” Furigay said.
No group claimed responsibility for the latest abduction, but Ferrer said the two men were believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf group, blamed for the string of kidnappings for ransom and terrorism in the southern region.
Police in Basilan said the two men originally seized Ramos and an unidentified boy, but he was able to escape. "The boy escaped and the two men fled with the girl. We are still checking the identity of the boy. He could shed some light about this incident," said Supt. Clifford Gairanod.
Another faction of the Abu Sayyaf is still holding a kidnapped pharmacy owner Bren Vergarra, 41, in Jolo island. His 70-year old mother, Caridad, who was also kidnapped April 12, was freed two weeks later. The kidnappers originally demanded two million pesos ransom in exchange for the victim's safe release.
The group is included in the US foreign terror list and Washington offered as much as $10 million bounty for the capture of its leader Khadaffy Janjalani, who masterminded the 2001 kidnapping of three American citizens in Palawan island in central Philippines and later killed two of them.
Officials said two men kidnapped Donna May Ramos late Wednesday afternoon while playing with a friend in Lamitan town. "There is an ongoing negotiation and we were assured that the girl would soon be freed," said the town mayor Roderick Furigay.
Police and military said the victim is a daughter of Lamitan councilor Donnel Ramos. "The abductors fled on motorcycle toward the neighboring town of Tuburan, and we have alerted our soldiers in the area. We are helping the police track down the hostage," Brig. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, the island's military commander, told the Zamboanga Journal.
The victim's father told the mayor that they would not file criminal charges against the kidnappers so long they free the girl unharmed.
“We asked Donnel if he would file charges against the kidnappers, and he said no and they only wanted to see the girl freed safely. The negotiator, who was former Tuburan town official, assured us that Donna May will be released without ransom,” Furigay said.
No group claimed responsibility for the latest abduction, but Ferrer said the two men were believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf group, blamed for the string of kidnappings for ransom and terrorism in the southern region.
Police in Basilan said the two men originally seized Ramos and an unidentified boy, but he was able to escape. "The boy escaped and the two men fled with the girl. We are still checking the identity of the boy. He could shed some light about this incident," said Supt. Clifford Gairanod.
Another faction of the Abu Sayyaf is still holding a kidnapped pharmacy owner Bren Vergarra, 41, in Jolo island. His 70-year old mother, Caridad, who was also kidnapped April 12, was freed two weeks later. The kidnappers originally demanded two million pesos ransom in exchange for the victim's safe release.
The group is included in the US foreign terror list and Washington offered as much as $10 million bounty for the capture of its leader Khadaffy Janjalani, who masterminded the 2001 kidnapping of three American citizens in Palawan island in central Philippines and later killed two of them.
7 comments:
I really feel terrible about this news. I wonder if it's the start of another spate of Abu Sayyaf atrocities. Hope not!
More power to you, Zamboanga!
Dear Rizalist,
Thank you for comment.
Mabuhay!
Ed.Zamboanga Journal
In 1998, the AFP boasted that the Abu Sayaff only had a couple of hundred goons for members.
After the elimination of two-thirds or more, there should be not more than a couple of dozens left.
What has the military been doing? Do they really think mission was already accomplished after the elimination of Gandang?
I am amazed at the inefficiency of our military to weed out these goons or is it true that many of our military elements are in cahoots with those tulisans.
My heartfelt congratulations for your blog.
Fair wind to all!
Dear Hillblogger,
Thank you very much for your comments. More power.
Mabuhay!
Ed.Zamboanga Journal
I hope and pray for the safe release of the innocent girl. She is still young. More to experience and feel.
My dear Muhammad,
Thanks a lot for visiting our site, we also pray for her safe return.
Ed.Zamboanga Journal
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