EDITORIAL - Profitable crime

In fighting kidnapping, rescuing the victims and arresting the perpetrators are the principal objectives. Apart from showing that kidnappers are caught and brought to justice, however, the government must prevent anyone from enjoying the fruits of the crime. These include the kidnappers’ relatives, and any public official who might be providing protection to the group.

By most accounts, a huge amount of money secured the release of German couple Stefan Okonek and Henrike Dielen from Abu Sayyaf bandits last Friday. The Germans were not rescued; they simply walked free and were recovered by security forces. The Abu Sayyaf, which has a record of decapitating and slashing off the breasts of hostages, does not let go of captives, especially foreigners, without being handsomely compensated for its labors. A single kidnapping caper in 2000 earned for the group at least $20 million.

The government insists that it adheres to a no-ransom policy. This should not stop authorities from pursuing leads on ransom paid by another party, and finding out who shared the loot. Money is spent, and it’s not impossible to trace dirty money.

Huge profits from kidnapping, with the perpetrators and their suspected coddlers getting to keep the money, have led to periodic spikes in the crime in Metro Manila. The spikes typically end when the most notorious kidnapping gangs are neutralized in what police always describe as armed encounters. Ransom payments, however, are almost never recovered – a powerful incentive for a recurrence of the crime.

In Sulu and neighboring Basilan, the Abu Sayyaf, which emerged in 1991, continues to thrive, even after its original leadership has been decimated. And the group still survives through its favorite fund-raising activity, kidnapping for ransom.

There are persistent reports that the group’s durability owes much to the forbearance of public officials who benefit from the bandits’ activities.  Perhaps under the tuwid na daan or straight path, this incestuous arrangement can be dismantled and the Abu Sayyaf neutralized for good.