Families of kidnap victims discouraged from paying ransom

MANILA, Philippines - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin yesterday discouraged the families of kidnap victims from paying ransom but admitted that the government cannot do anything if they choose to do so.

Gazmin told defense reporters that the “no ransom policy” only applies to the government.

“The government cannot do anything if someone decides to pay to secure the freedom of her spouse,” the defense chief said.

Gazmin noted that the payment of ransom to terrorists would only lead to more problems.

Earlier, Basilan Vice Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakalahul confirmed reports that the family of kidnapped Australian Warren Richard Rodwell had paid P4 million to secure his freedom.

Rodwell, 54, was kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf bandits in his home in Ipil, Zamboanga del Sur on Dec. 5, 2011.

His captors originally demanded $2 million for his release but authorities refused to give in, saying they adhere to a no ransom policy.

The kidnappers released the Australian at dawn last March 23 in a coastal area in Pagadian City.

Gazmin said measures are being undertaken to ensure the safety of other kidnap victims who are still in the custody of the Abu Sayyaf.

He said they do not want the victims to be caught in the crossfire, just like what happened to American missionary Martin Burnham who was killed in a rescue operation in 2002.

“We need to study carefully and come up with a good plan to ensure that the victims would not be harmed,” Gazmin said.

The Abu Sayyaf kidnapped Burnham, his wife Gracia, and 18 others in a resort in Palawan in May 2001. The hostages were later brought to Basilan.

Also among the hostages was American-Peruvian Guillermo Sobero, who was beheaded by the bandits in June 2001.

Gracia Burnham survived and wrote a book that recounted her experiences in captivity. 

The Abu Sayyaf, which has ties to the international terror cell al-Qaeda, has about 400 members.

At least four foreigners are still being held captive by the group: Elwold Horn from the Netherlands, Lorenzo Vinceguerre of Switzerland, Jordanian journalist Baker Abdulla Atyani, and Japanese Toshio Ito.

Horn and Vinceguerre are bird watchers who were kidnapped on Feb. 1, 2012 in Tawi-Tawi.

Abu Sayyaf members kidnapped Atyani and his two-man Filipino crew in June 2012. Filipinos Ramel Vela and Roland Letrero were released last February.

Ito, a treasure hunter, was abducted in July 2010.