No-ransom policy under Duterte

MANILA, Philippines – The Duterte administration is ready to talk to the Abu Sayyaf to secure the release of hostages, but the government will continue to pursue a no-ransom policy, officials said yesterday. 

Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza said he was informed that a certain Abu Sayyaf member named Abu Rami wanted to talk to him about Norwegian hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad, who was kidnapped on Samal Island with two Canadians and a Filipina last September. 

“I got word from someone in Zamboanga City this morning that one Abu Rami allegedly from ASG (Abu Sayyaf group) wanted to talk to me directly about the remaining Norwegian hostage,” Dureza said in a statement yesterday. 

“I told the person that I was ready and willing to talk with anyone for the release of hostages and save lives provided that it would not be about ransom,” he added.

 Dureza said he gave the person a secure phone number where he and the Abu Sayyaf representative can talk. He is still waiting for the bandit group to contact him as of this writing. 

Previous reports identified Abu Rami as the spokesperson for the Abu Sayyaf. 

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the government would continue to talk to the kidnappers until the last captive is released.

When asked whether the Duterte administration considers the Abu Sayyaf as plain bandits or terrorists, Andanar said: “Secretary Jess Dureza has said that whatever was stated by United Nations with regard to the treatment of the Abu Sayyaf would be the stand of our government.” 

The United Nations Security Council said in 2001 that the Abu Sayyaf has links with the international terrorist network al-Qaeda. 

Sekkingstad, Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall and Filipina Marites Flor were abducted by Abu Sayyaf bandits in Samal Island in Davao region in September last year. 

The extremists beheaded Ridsdel last April and executed Hall last month because their ransom demands were not met. The body of Hall was found in Sulu last Saturday. 

Flor was released last June 24 after a series of negotiations. 

Last month, Duterte said the abductions in Mindanao have to stop because they have given the Philippines “a very bad image.”  

 “I don’t want to pick a fight with anybody but there will be a time. I have to confront Abu Sayyaf. It’s not yet forthcoming,” Duterte said in a speech delivered in Davao City hours after the release of Flor. 

“There will be reckoning one of these days,” he added.