AFP: No letup vs Abus to rescue German

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – There is no letup in military operations against Abu Sayyaf bandits to prevent them from executing their German captive and rescue the other hostages, an official said yesterday.

“Ground operations are relentless to keep the Abu Sayyaf on the run and neutralize them,” said Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief. 

The bandits gave the family of Juergen Kantner until 3 p.m. today to pay P30 million in exchange for his freedom.

 Kantner, 70, and his partner Sabine Merz, 50, were taken in November.  The body of Merz was later found on his yacht, Rockall, adrift off Mindanao. 

Galvez declined to elaborate on the status of their operations even as he gave assurance they are determined to stop the bandits from committing more atrocities, including kidnapping.

The bandits are also holding a Dutch man, a Korean, seven Indonesians, five Malaysians, six Vietnamese and six Filipinos. 

The police and military are also verifying if the Abu Sayyaf were behind the attack on a Vietnamese cargo vessel in the waters off Tawi-Tawi on Sunday last week. 

The gunmen shot and killed one of the crewmembers and seized six others, including the captain and chief officer.