Philippines: Successful rescue of two German hostages
(Baonghean.vn) - On Saturday, October 18, two German hostages arrived safely at the German Embassy in Manila. The two hostages were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf Islamic terrorist group in April in the southern Philippines. In Berlin, a Foreign Ministry spokesman “expressed his gratitude to the Philippine Government for its successful cooperation” in rescuing the hostages.
On Saturday, in an interview with the German daily Bild, two hostages said the kidnappers were cruel. “Especially at first, they were very aggressive and often beat us. My husband was severely beaten,” said Henrike Dielen, 55, wife of 74-year-old doctor Stefan Okonek. The German couple said they were kidnapped on April 25 in the waters near Palawan Island by a man who claimed to be a police officer. The man, dressed as a police officer, asked to board their boat for a security check.
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| Saturday, two German hostages kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf Islamist group in April in the southern Philippines were successfully rescued. Photo: Internet |
On Friday, the Abu Sayyaf Islamist group demanded that Berlin pay a ransom equivalent to $5.6 million (250 million pesos) and stop all support for Kurdish operations and the US in the fight against IS in Syria and Iraq. Abu Sayyaf threatened to behead one of the two German hostages if Germany did not comply with its demands.
The Abu Sayyaf group has confirmed the release of the two German hostages and announced that the Abu Sayyaf has received the full ransom as requested. However, Armed Forces of the Philippines Commander-in-Chief Gregorio Catapang immediately denied the information. “We do not negotiate with terrorists,” said Gregorio Catapang, adding that he had no information about any ransom payment.
According to Rex Robles, a retired Philippine intelligence officer, it is hard to imagine that the Abu Sayyaf group would release the hostages without demanding ransom. Rex Robles expressed his disappointment at the government’s compromise. He said the group would use the money to buy more equipment such as guns or boats to carry out other terrorist attacks.
In July, in a video posted on YouTube, the Abu Sayyaf group pledged allegiance and support to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS). The group is listed as a terrorist group by the United States and the Philippines. According to the Philippine military, the group is currently holding 13 hostages, including five foreigners.
Chu Thanh– LeParisien 18/10
