German hostages Viktor Stefan Okonek and Henrite Dieter
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday said the government was working hard for the release of the German couple held by the Abu Sayyaf.
Viktor Stefan Okonek, 71, and Henrike Dieter, 55, were kidnapped in April by the group, which threatened to kill Okonek on Friday if the P250 million ransom is not paid.
“The Philippine government is exerting all efforts to secure the safe release of the German hostages and we will continue to pursue this objective,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said during a briefing.
“Sa kaduluduluhan ng lahat, ang nais natin ay ‘yung securing the safe release at wala naman tayong—walang pagbabago sa patakaran ng ating pamahalaan,” he added.
(He added that they only want to secure the safe release and that the government has not changed its stance on giving out ransom.)
The Philippine government has a “no ransom” policy.
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