Miriam wants to probe Abu Sayyaf ransom payment

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has filed a resolution calling for the investigation of a video clip released by the Abu Sayyaf Group, claiming that they received a P250-million ransom in exchange of the freedom of two German captives last month.

Santiago wants an inquiry into reports that there was payment of ransom in exchange for the release of German couple Stefan Viktor Okonek and Henrike Dielen, who were released after about six month in captivity.

“Congress should investigate adherence to the no-ransom policy, which is important in curbing kidnapping activities,” Santiago said in filing Senate resolution 1023.

The German couple was abducted from a yacht on the high seas between Palawan and Malaysia in April 2014. They were later brought to Sulu as the captors demanded ransom.

The ASG spokesman identified as Muamar Askali has been quoted in reports that P250-million in ransom was paid to the bandit group.

Santiago cited an article posted on Philstar.com about the alleged video clip posted by the ASG on Facebook, which shows stacks of cash to dispute the claim of the military that no ransom was paid for the freedom of Okoken and Dielen.

The video showed the Abu Sayyaf members piling bundles of P1,000 bills in five stacks, neatly wrapped in transparenct plastic. Each stack was estimated at P1 million. Askali also showed a picture of one of the blue travelling bags that contained the ransom payment.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines had denied that ransom was paid for the release of the German couple. It reiterated that the Abu Sayyaf Group was forced to release the couple due pressure from the military's relentless pursuit operations against the bandits.