EDITORIAL - A burgeoning cottage industry

The nightmare is back in Basilan, and authorities must move quickly to stop it. Kidnapping for ransom became a cottage industry in Basilan and Sulu following the hugely successful capers staged by the Abu Sayyaf about a decade ago. In one incident, the Sulu-based faction of the group led by the late, unlamented Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot, earned a whopping $30 million in exchange for the release of mostly European captives snatched from the Malaysian resort island of Sipadan. The bandits reportedly earned at least P6 million more for journalists who were held for ransom.

A successful kidnapping, however, involves two aspects: collecting the ransom and enjoying it. Kidnappers can take the money but they must not be allowed to run away with it. Robot, who famously dreamed of retiring in his own orchard, lost his leg in an encounter and later his life in a prison riot in Taguig. The $30 million was reportedly spent partly on guns, motorcycles and supplies. Whatever was left clearly did not make a dent on the lifestyles of Abu Sayyaf commanders, who were eventually neutralized, including chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani.

Now the scourge is back, with kidnappers demanding a minimum fee for “board and lodging” in exchange for their hostages. Last Friday bandits freed 24-year-old nurse Preciosa Feliciano, reportedly after the payment of P200,000 as board and lodging fee. Her family also reportedly gave additional cash, a motorcycle and an assault rifle totaling P1.5 million in exchange for her freedom. The kidnappers are still holding on to aid worker Merlie Mendoza and nursing student Anthony Pilanga. Reports said the kidnappers want $1.5 million for Mendoza and P20 million for Pilanga.

If the bandits reap such huge profits and manage to enjoy their loot, this cottage industry will thrive and may even spread once again to Metro Manila. There are still occasional cases of kidnapping for ransom in Metro Manila, with Chinese Filipinos still among the favorite targets. This scourge was placed under control when law enforcement authorities sent a strong message that kidnappers — including soldiers and cops who might be involved — would not be allowed to enjoy the proceeds of their crime. Kidnappers were neutralized in encounters with cops and ransom payments were recovered. Similar operations must be undertaken quickly in Basilan before more groups engage in what they think is a highly profitable enterprise.