AN UNSPECIFIED amount of ransom money was believed paid to members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf for the safe release of two kidnapped Indonesian sailors in the southern Philippines, Filipino security sources said Monday. The duo, Yamin Labaso, 26, and Erikson Hutagaol, 23, who were kidnapped last March 30 by Abu Sayyaf gunmen off Mataking island near the Sabah border, had been recovered by troops at dawn Sunday in the hinterland of Indanan town in Sulu, about 950 kilometers south of Manila.
A security official earlier said the duo escaped from the Abu Sayyaf in Mt. Tumantangis near Indanan town with the help of a local villager, Nijal Aradani. It was not immediately known why Aradani helped them escaped or what role he played for the safe release of Labaso and Hutagaol. But sources in the island said ransom money was believed paid to the kidnappers under Abu Sayyaf leader Albader Parad and Gumbahali Jumdail and that negotiations for the release of the remaining Indonesian hostage Ahmad Resmiyadi, 32.
The hostages were crew members a Malaysian boat firm, and were returning to Sandakan in Sabah from East Kalimantan when the bandits attacked them. "We received reports that ransom money was paid to the kidnappers and that the hostages were dropped off from a specified rendezvous, and there are negotiations for the release of Ahmad Resmiyadi," sources said, adding, the remaining hostage is being held captive by another Abu Sayyaf faction under Salip Abdulla in Indanan town. But the military said the two hostages were rescued after a firefight with the kidnappers in Indanan town.
Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Sanusi on Monday flew to Zamboanga City and met with Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza to thank the military for the safe recovery of the hostages. Sanusi later met with Labaso and Hutagaol, but Filipino soldiers said the ambassador did not want reporters near the military hospital where the pair were resting. Soldiers also prevented news photographers from taking Sanusi's picture while he was talking with the victims.
Sanusi also did not give a statement to reporters, but was later spotted waving to photographers on his way back to the airport. "We want to give Sanusi the chance to air his side about the ransom payment, but he did not want to give any statement. He also did not want reporters and photographers to cover his visit to the escaped hostages," a Filipino journalist said.
"It would be great to see Sanusi's pictures on Indonesian newspapers, so his compatriots would know that for once embassy officials have visited the freed captives or just to show that they are now so concerned about the sailors," another Filipino journalist, who is are working for international news agencies, said.
A group of Indonesian lawmakers led by Junus Effendi Habibie is also expected to arrive in Zamboanga City this week to see the hostages, Braganza said. "The Indonesian ambassador is elated over the rescue of the hostages, and Indonesian lawmakers are also arriving here this week," he added.
The kidnappers have earlier demanded three million ringgits ($789,600 dollars) in exchange for the safe release of the three hostages. The kidnap group said it will kill one of the hostages if ransom is not paid. The demand was sent last month to the Indonesian Consulate in Sabah. The spokesman of the Indonesian consulate Bambang Gunawan earlier said the kidnappers had sent mobile phone text messages to consulate officials and asked a video camera so they can air their demands. The captors also demanded medicines for the hostages, he said, but Filipino security officials claimed these information were not passed on to them.
Before his escape, Labuso spoke with Indonesian officials on the phone and told them that his companions were suffering from diarrhea and malaria. The families of the hostages had appealed to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to secure the release of the sailors with help from Malaysian and Philippine authorities. The military has identified the kidnappers as Ibni Hassan, Ben Sanu alias Bin Ladin, Calvi Tandanan, Fernando Corrolo, Majit Kalinggalan, Hulti Jailani, Badong Moktadil and Abdul Ullong. |
Amid criticisms of government inaction, the military commander for the southern Philippines yesterday ordered troops to rescue three kidnapped Indonesian seamen held by suspected Abu Sayyaf extremists. Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza flew to Jolo Island and personally gave the order for troops to do their best to rescue the Indonesian seamen, who were taken hostage on March 30 by gunmen off Mataking Island near the Sabah border.