AFP studying options in rescuing German Abu captives

MANILA, Philippines - The military is cautious on the conduct of rescue operations to free the Germans who were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf in Palawan last April.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. said they are carefully studying their options to ensure the safety of captives while avoiding collateral damage.

“We are trying to analyze the situation. What is better? Rescue or negotiations? We were told that they (captives) are still alive then the negotiations are continuous,” Catapang told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo late Tuesday afternoon.

“There were plans to rescue them but the (chances of) success are slim. We cannot just go there, do the rescue and then all of a sudden those who will be rescued will be part of the collateral damage,” he added.

German nationals Stefan Viktor Okonek, 74 and Henrite Dielen, 42 were kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf militants last April in their yacht in Rio Tubattaha off Palawan. They were then brought to the jungles of Sulu and are believed to be with other Abu Sayyaf hostages.

In a radio interview early this week, Okonek and Dielen urged Philippine and German authorities to ensure their safe release, saying their situation in the jungle is becoming more difficult. They also expressed concerns about their health as well as tropical diseases like malaria.

The two captives were permitted to speak on air by Abu Ramin, who claimed to be the spokesman of Abu Sayyaf splinter Al-Harakatul Al-Islamiyah. The group has demanded a P250-million ransom for their release.

Catapang said the captors of Okonek and Dielen were moving from one place to another. He said a crisis committee is continuously negotiating for their release.