Trace ransom? Palace says it’s up to AMLC

MANILA, Philippines - While government continues to uphold its no-ransom policy, there are still ways of finding out if ransom was indeed paid for the release of two Germans held captive by the Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao.

Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. yesterday said the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is the specific government agency tasked to trace the money trail if a minimum of P60 million to as much as P250 million changed hands in Sulu to release the captives.

“Assuming that there was ransom paid by other parties, AMLC has existing processes under the law for detecting irregular transactions and looks into these as part of its regular functions,” Coloma said.

There have been reports of two foreigners carrying the ransom money in several black bags that were unloaded from a private plane in Zamboanga City, as per account of one official who refused to be quoted.

If this report is true, Coloma said the AMLC has the vast network and the resources to check from what particular bank – government or private – or from what nearest bank there was a withdrawal transaction close to the reported amount.

More so if the transaction involved bank transfers from anywhere in the country – either deposit or withdrawals, considering that such amount automatically violates the P500,000 threshold for a single transaction in a given banking day. Red flags should be up then, he said.

The Abu Sayyaf demanded P250-million ransom for Stefan Viktor Okonek, 74, and his wife Henrike Dielen, 55.

The bandits had threatened to behead Okonek on Friday if the ransom was not paid.

The deadline passed with no word from the bandit group if they carried out the threat.

Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Rami later spoke in a radio interview, hinting that ransom was paid – “nothing more, nothing less” – fueling speculation that the full P250-million demand was met.

Rami’s aide Al Kataib also said the ransom money was delivered.

The German couple was later released and turned over to an unnamed government facilitator who accompanied the hostages to Zamboanga City.

Officials, however, are silent whether ransom was paid to secure the release of the German captives.

“We do not know if there were negotiations. We do not have knowledge on whether ransom was paid,” Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said.

Cabunoc said they are still verifying Rami’s claim even as he stressed that it could just be propaganda.

“They may be doing this to discredit the military,” he said.

Cabunoc said Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. wants results in the ongoing efforts to run after the Abu Sayyaf.

“It (operations) should be continuous. It should not stop. There should be results. He (Catapang) is expecting results,” Cabunoc said when asked what instructions have been issued to troops operating in Sulu.

“We are not only after the German hostages. We are after all the 10 hostages and of course to punish those who are involved in this criminal activity.”

Cabunoc said military operations are focused on Patikul and nearby areas. – With Alexis Romero, Roel Pareño