Abu Sayyaf demands P8 M for kidnapped Malaysian

Originally posted 3:12 pm | Saturday, May 21st, 2011

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—The Abu Sayyaf is demanding an P8-million ransom for a Malaysian it has been holding captive in Sulu since May 8 and would like to have an initial down payment of P5 million, the police said Saturday.

But Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu, head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao, said it was not clear whether the self-styled Islamist group, reported to have links to Osama Bin Laden’s al-Qaida network, would free Mohammad Nazaruddin Bin Saidin if and when such initial payment is made.

He said only that the Malaysian consul general had informed Inspector Mohammad Khan Kamlon, chief of the police in Indanan, Sulu, that “the abductors allegedly demanded for P8 million in ransom money in exchange for the safe release of the kidnap victim and the kidnappers asked for initial payment of P5 million.”

He said the consul called Kamlon on May 16 to inform him about the ransom demand made by the group of Indanan-based Alhabsy Misaya.

Khu said Saidin was believed being held in an area called Buansa, which is within the municipality of Indanana.

Saidin, 38, was forcibly taken by Abu Sayyaf gunmen from his host’s house in the village Kajatian around midnight of May 8. He was in Indanan to buy geckos from local hunters.

Chief Superintendent Beinvenido Latag, police director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said gecko lizards are in demand in Sabah, the victim’s home state, for its supposedly curative properties.

“The victim arrived in Jolo last April 30 and he had travel documents and clearance from the Bureau of Immigration,” Latag said.

Meanwhile, Khu said the authorities were verifying a report they received that Larry delos Santos, a Basilan resort owner abducted by the Abu Sayyaf in December, has been “buried on the outskirts of Isabela City” in Basilan.

Michael delos Santos, a son of the victim, said he was told during a meeting with Basilan Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul that his father had indeed died of an illness.

But another report he got from the Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response said his father was killed by Abu Sayyaf gunmen at the height of a military operation against them.

The younger Delos Santos said since the reports were confusing, he has asked for proof.