Abu frees German captives: P250-M ransom paid?

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines– Abu Sayyaf bandits freed their two German captives in Sulu yesterday, reportedly after their ransom demand was met.

It was not clear who paid the ransom and how much changed hands. The Abu Sayyaf had earlier demanded P250 million for Stefan Viktor Okonek, 74, and his wife Henrike Dielen, 55.

The bandits had threatened to behead Okonek at 3 p.m. yesterday if the ransom was not paid. But the deadline was extended for two hours apparently for last-minute negotiations.

Asked if ransom was paid, Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Rami told radio station dxRZ, “Walang labis, walang kulang (Nothing more, nothing less)” – fueling speculation that the full P250-million demand was met.

Rami said the Germans were turned over to an unnamed government facilitator, who accompanied the hostages to Zamboanga City.

Rami said the area where they brought the Germans had been cleared by troops.

Earlier in the day, Rami’s aide Al Kataib also said, “They have already delivered the money.”

The bandits had demanded  the withdrawal of government troops, threatening to behead Okonek ahead of the 3 p.m. deadline.

The Abu Sayyaf did not insist on the original demand that Germany stop supporting the US campaign against Islamic State militants.

Bandits are holding ten other mostly foreign hostages in Mindanao.

After the 5 p.m. deadline lapsed yesterday, no word was heard from the bandit group.

Kataib said Rami, as the Abu Sayyaf spokesman, would make a statement to confirm the release of the captives.

Okonek, 74, and his wife Henrike Dielen, 55, were snatched from their yacht by the Abu Sayyaf last April on their way to Palawan and brought to Sulu.

Reports, however, disclosed a certain Rudger Konig, said to be a German facilitator, had flown to Sulu and negotiated for the release of the couple.

Authorities declined to confirm the negotiations made by Konig for the release of the German couple.

On the other hand, a soldier who took part in the rescue operations confirmed the Abu Sayyaf militants and their hostages were within “line of sight.”

“The group was in our sight but there was no order to launch rescue operation yet,” the soldier disclosed.

Rami also confirmed they were surrounded by government troops up to the last minute of the deadline.

He issued the warning to execute Okonek over the radio to prevent the troops from closing in.

The military has been deployed and is believed to be surrounding the possible location of the Abu Sayyaf bandits holding the German captives, according to a military official.

Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, commander of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said they were just waiting for the decision of the Special Action Committee of the Provincial Peace and Order Council.

“The discussion is to focus on the areas where the Abu Sayyaf group are encamping and the areas where they are holding the hostages,” Guerrero said.

He said as of press time, there has been no significant development.

“We will not hesitate on what to do,” Guerrero added when asked if they were ready to rescue the victims once given the signal by the provincial special action committee.

Security forces have been tight-lipped over their operations to rescue the German couple.

“The law enforcement operations are ongoing. I cannot say where or when specifically because we do not want to endanger the life of the hostages,” Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said. – Alexis Romero