No ransom paid for release of Germans, Palace insists

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang stood pat yesterday on its statement that the government did not pay ransom for the release of two Germans held captive by the Abu Sayyaf Group, but the Palace promised to cooperate in any investigation.

“We made it clear. Even the President said there is no ransom from government,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio dzRB.

However, she refused to comment on the video supposedly the ransom money that was paid in exchange for the release of German couple Stefan Viktor Okonek and Henrike Dielen.

“We cannot ascertain who uploaded that. We have no information on that,” Valte said.

But if the senators find it necessary to investigate in the course of their duty, Valte said “we are ready to help.”

On Friday, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago called for an investigation into the video supposedly uploaded by the Abu Sayyaf showing the P250-million ransom received by the bandits last month in exchange for the freedom of the German couple.

Santiago filed Senate Resolution 1023, which seeks a congressional probe into the payment of ransom money to the Abu Sayyaf.

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

The Germans were seized from a yacht in the high seas between Palawan and Malaysia last April. They were released last month after the supposed payment of ransom.

Abu Sayyaf spokesman Muamar Askali alias Abu Rami, posted on Facebook a video clip of the ransom money in an effort to dispute reports that no ransom was paid when they freed the German couple last Oct. 17.

The video showed the Abu Sayyaf piling bundles of P1,000 bills in five stacks, neatly wrapped with transparent plastic, each stack estimated to be P1 million. The money was placed on top of a large black plastic bag.

The video clip, which ran for two minutes and 57 seconds, also showed the militants standing around the moneybag with a black flag of the Islamic State in the background.

Askali also showed a photograph of one of the blue traveling bags used to conceal the ransom money.

Santiago noted that the reports were contrary to the official statement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that the relentless pursuit of the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan and Sulu pressured the bandits to release their captives.