Captors ask P80M to free hostages

Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines - Kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) group in custody of two Malaysian nationals, whom they have abducted in February, this year, has demanded 80 million pesos in ransom to release their hostages, according to sources.

The preys, Lahad Datu businessmen Chen Vui Chung, 42, and Lau Vui Chau, 33 were kidnapped at Sibangkat diving resort in Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia by KFR group believed linked to the dreaded Abu Sayyaf in Sulu and Basilan.

Their fate lies on the capacity of their family to raise the ransom money for their safe release.

However, sources said that the demand for ransom has raised and dropped amidst the undisclosed negotiation. The initial demand was placed at P15 million. Then lowered to P7.5 million, half of the original amount sought, during the elections and was raised to the current demand of P80 million, after the elections.

Meanwhile, sources revealed that the two hostages were taken back to Tawi-Tawi from Sulu, where they were long kept since captivity. Military pursuits against Abu Sayyaf in Sulu and unsuccessful negotiations for the early release have prompted kidnappers to take the hostages back to Tawi-Tawi.

Hid in an unknown location in this southern province their captors are waiting for the ransom while the captives are wary of their fate from the claws of the terrorists.

As this developed, the Provincial Crisis Management Committee (PCMC), alarmed by the volatile situation confronting the peaceful province convened last week to address the problem.

Governor Sadikul Sahali, Alhaj, in presiding the PCMC meeting delivered the stand of the provincial government by maintaining peaceful approaches in solving the crisis while sustaining the no ransom policy of the government.

It was learned that WesMinCom Commander, Major General Benjamin Dolorfino, who was present at the meeting, has opted for the military solution to suppress the KFR group and force the release of the hostages.

But the provincial leadership maintained its stand in peacefully mitigating the crisis to avoid mayhem in Tawi-Tawi.

It was learned that PCMC would dispatch emissary to further negotiate the freeing of the hostages.

The PCMC meeting was attended by the Philippine Marines, Task Force 62, PNP and other concerned sectors invited by the Crisis Management Committee.

As of press time, deadlock in the negotiation for the release of the hostages remains. No further development is taking a fresh direction.