Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson, revealed that the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) demanded ransom money for the release of British businessman Allan Hyrons and his Filipina wife, Wilma, but the troops did not give in to their demands.
This was confirmed by Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana of the Western Mindanao Command.
Sobejana said the ASG initially asked for a P50-million ransom money which was later reduced to P10 million.
“But no ransom was paid at all because the directive of the President was clear (not to pay ransom) and that is also the policy of the British government,” Sobejana explained.
“We just worked hard on our sustained and relentless search and rescue operations,” he added.
The Hyrons couple were already turned over by the military to the British Embassy around 10 p.m. on Monday.
They were escorted by Sobejana, Arevalo, and other top military officials when they arrived at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City and met with British Ambassador Daniel Pruce.
Sobejana revealed that the Hyrons couple, especially Wilma, were still in a state of shock as they were subjected to psychological torture.
“They were told that they will be killed if no ransom was paid, that was the group’s ultimate goal, but they were not harmed physically,” he said.
During their 52 days in captivity, the couple had to endure eating only twice a day.
The last days with the ASG proved to be more challenging as they were reduced to eating biscuits while on the run.
Wilma told the military that after they were kidnapped from their resort in Tukuran Zamboanga del Sur on October 4, they were transferred to Basilan, then to Sulu.
Sobejana said they have to clarify the sequence of events as Wilma was still in a state of shock while narrating their ordeal. (Martin Sadongdong)