P30 million sought for release of Indonesian fishermen

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Abu Sayyaf bandit group is demanding P30 million for the release of five Indonesian fishermen, a military official said yesterday. 

The bandits reportedly contacted the employer of the fishermen two weeks after the kidnapping, according to Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the Western Mindanao Command.

Sobejana said the kidnappers wanted the ransom paid in Malaysian ringgit.  He said the Philippine government is strictly following a no ransom policy.

Sobejana said there has been no report of any local group negotiating for the release of Arsyad Dahlan, La Baa, Riswanto Hayono, Edi Lawalopo and Syarizal Kastamiran.

The victims were seized by at least six armed men from a Malaysian fishing boat in the waters off Lahad Datu, Sabah on Jan. 17.

The kidnappers brought the victims to Sulu.

Army troopers tracked down and neutralized two of the kidnappers as the group landed on Sulare Island off Parang town, Sobejana said.

The encounter occurred barely a day after the kidnappers turned over the captives to the Abu Sayyaf.

Sobejana said the military is pursuing a group that kidnapped local doctor Daniel Moreno on Feb. 4.

The military said the bandits needed a doctor to treat their wounded comrades as well as Abu Sayyaf leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who is reportedly suffering from tuberculosis.

2 slain in Sulu clash

Two Abu Sayyaf bandits including a ranking leader were killed in a firefight that also wounded two Army rangers in Patikul, Sulu on Sunday.

The fatalities were identified as Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Taullah Abdurasa, alias Amah Ollah, and a certain Baby Ollah, who were both on the watchlist of the military.

The encounter in Barangay Bakong was a  result of a continued search and rescue operation for the five Indonesians,  Sobejana said.

Baby Ollah was reportedly picked by the bandit group to carry out suicide bombing missions, according to Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., chief of the Joint Task Force Sulu.

The wounded rangers were taken to a hospital for treatment.