Philippines Working for Safe Release of All Abu Sayyaf Captives

Manila, Philippinee, 24 Rajab 1437/02 May 2016 (MINA) – The Philippines will continue working for the safe release of foreign nationals being held captive by the Abu Sayyaf group, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

“The Philippine Government is pleased at the positive developments resulting in the safe release of 10 Indonesian nationals abducted by the Abu Sayyaf on March 26, 2016,” the DFA said in a statement released Monday.

“While intensified operations continue on the ground, the DFA maintains close coordination with concerned foreign governments in ensuring the safe return of all the remaining hostages,” it also said.

The Indonesian sailors were released to Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan II on Sunday. They were brought to a military hospital for a medical checkup and were declared in stable condition despite being held captive for 37 days, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported, quoting Philstar. .

The sailors were seized at gunpoint from their tugboat while in Malaysian waters. The crew had been sailing to the Philippines when they were abducted.

It is unclear whether a ransom was paid for their release but the Philippine government has a no-ransom policy.

The release of the 10 Indonesian captives came almost a week since the Abu Sayyaf beheaded Canadian captive John Ridsdel after the deadline to pay a P300-million ransom lapsed.

The Abu Sayyaf still holds four Indonesian crew members of another tugboat seized on April 1 in the waters off Sempornah, Sabah and brought to Sulu. The group, which the Philippines and the US have categorized as a terrorist group, is also holding thee remaining Samal tourists — a Canadian, Norwegian, a Filipino woman — a Dutch national, four Malaysians, a Chinese national and six other Filipinos. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)