The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command said yesterday that they are conducting intelligence monitoring to determine the whereabouts of the German man who was reportedly kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf Group in the vicinity of Tanjong Luuk Pisuk, Sabah, Malaysia over the weekend.
Wesmincon spokesman Army Major Filemon Tan Jr. said troops will be deployed to safely recover the victim once they have determined the whereabouts of the German and the bandits.
“So far we’re in the process of intel collection to determine their location. Once we determine their whereabouts we will immediately send troops to recover the victim,” Tan said.
Tan said they’re verifying if the victim was taken either to Sulu or Tawi-Tawi. “So far, we cannot say if they are there or in another staging area. We are still waiting for the intel report,” he said.
Tan appealed to the family of the victim not to pay any ransom to the ASG. “We appeal to them to observe the no ransom policy because if we give in to their demand, a greater damage will be done. They can use the money to buy arms or to even feed themselves which will further fuel their tendency to conduct kidnapping activities,” Tan said. (Francis T. Wakefield)