P5-million ransom sought for Sulu trader

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – Abu Sayyaf militants have demanded P5-million ransom in exchange for the release of a Filipino-Chinese businessman they seized in Jolo, capital town of Sulu, last Friday afternoon, police said.

This, as pursuing Marines and policemen have identified the leaders of the Abu Sayyaf militants behind the kidnapping of 56-year-old Nelson Lim.

Lim, owner of Times Hardware and Plaza Panciteria in downtown Jolo, was snatched at gunpoint by seven Abu Sayyaf militants in Sitio Lambayong, Barangay Bus-bus while he was on his way home.

Director Felicisimo Khu, chief of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operation Western Mindanao, cited reports that the Abu Sayyaf has relayed the ransom demand to Lim’s family.

Khu said the kidnappers, led by a certain Jihad Namyel, Mudzrimar Sawadjaan, and Ninok Sappari, have brought their captive to Mt. Dahu in Patikul town.

Military sources said Lim was being guarded by 12 Abu Sayyaf rebels somewhere in Barangay Maykayah.

“But the group is constantly mobile to evade pursuing troops,” said a source who asked not to be named as he is not authorized to issue any statements.

The military and police were also checking if Lim was brought together with three other captives, all crewmembers of a fishing boat, who were seized off Sulu last March 19.

The military said the three captives – boat captain Renato Panisales, assistant engineer Wennie Ferrer, and quartermaster Jonald Ocsimar, all working for Mega Fishing Co. based in this city – have been brought to Patikul town, too.

Khu said they believe that all four captives were all in the same area but were being kept separately by different groups but all followers of Abu Sayyaf leaders Radullan Sahiron and Umbra Jumdail, alias Dr. Abu Pula.

A P4-million ransom was demanded for each of the three fishing boat crewmen. – With Rose Tamayo-Tesoro