‘South Korean traders met with compatriot’s captors’

General Santos City — A Sultan Kudarat mayor, one of those negotiating the release of Korean treasure-hunter Jae Keon Yoon, has warned unauthorized individuals not to hold separate talks with the foreigner’s kidnappers.

This, after a group of South Korean businessmen, said to be working on the expansion of the Davao International Airport, reportedly met with Abdulrakman Tongko in Cotabato City last week to work out Jae’s release after payment of a P20-million ransom.

Tongko, alias Commander Tropical, is said to be one of the leaders of the kidnapping group. Sources said cousins Bido Binago and Aloo Binago, ranking leaders of a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) led by Commander Tigre Jakiri, were also present in the meeting.

"What the Koreans are doing would jeopardize our efforts to rescue the kidnap victim safely without paying the ransom they are demanding," said Mayor Labualas Mamansual of Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.

Mamansual chairs the special negotiating panel formed by Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Jesus Dureza to work out Jae’s release.

Mamansual met President Arroyo at Malacañang last Saturday and briefed her on the developments.

Jae and his Filipino business partner, Carlos Belonio, were kidnapped last Feb. 6 while searching for nickel deposits at the boundary of Palimbang and Maitum, a known lair of Moro rebels. Belonio was freed on Good Friday.