SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The government continues to observe its no-ransom policy, a Palace official said on Saturday, October 18, amid reports that ransom payment was made to secure the release of two German hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf group.
“There is no change in the ‘no ransom’ policy of the government,” Palace Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said in statement a day after the notorious group freed Stefan Viktor Okonek, 71, and Henrike Dielen, 55.
Okonek and Dielen arrived at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City at 6:45 am on Saturday, and are now in the custody of the German embassy, according to Armed Forces spokesman Major General Domingo Tutaan and a German foreign ministry spokesman.
The German government also thanked the Philippine government for the effort.
“We thank the government of the Philippines for their close collaboration, undertaken with full confidence,” the German foreign ministry spokesman added.
On Friday, Abu Sayyaf spokesman Aboo Rami said in a radio interview that they got a P250-million ($5.5 million) ransom payment in exchange for the release of the hostages.
The Abu Sayyaf had threatened to behead Okonek on Friday afternoon if authorities fail to heed their ransom demand. The group had also demanded Germany’s withdrawal from the US-led war against the Islamic State (ISIS) in the Middle East.
Coloma said that the government is still “determining details of their (hostages’) rescue.”
He added that with the hostages freed, security forces would continue pursue operations against the Abu Sayyaf.
“With the release from captivity of the two German nationals, our security forces will continue efforts to stem the tide of criminality perpetrated by bandit elements,” Coloma said.
Okonek and Dielen are expected to meet with President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday.
The Abu Sayyaf abducted Okonek and Dielen in April, while the two were on a yacht off Palawan, and were brought to Sulu.
They were released on Saturday night in Patikul, Sulu, and then brought to Zamboanga City, where they received medical attention and awaited their flight to Manila the following day.
The Abu Sayyaf gained notoriety after a string of high-profile abductions of foreign nationals in the country and in neighboring areas. – with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.