Philippines: Two German hostages successfully rescued.

(Baonghean.vn) - On Saturday, October 18th, two German hostages arrived safely at the German Embassy in Manila. These two hostages were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf Islamic terrorist group in April in southern the Philippines. In Berlin, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs "thanked the Philippine government for its successful cooperation" in rescuing their hostages.

On Saturday, in an interview with the German daily Bild, the two hostages said the kidnappers were very cruel. Henrike Dielen, 55, wife of 74-year-old doctor Stefan Okonek, said, “Especially at first, they were very aggressive and often beat us. My husband was brutally beaten by them.” The German couple said they were kidnapped on April 25 in the waters near Palawan by a man who identified himself as a police officer. The man in police uniform demanded to board their boat for a security check.

On Saturday, two German hostages abducted by the Abu Sayyaf Islamic militant group in southern the Philippines in April 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 cease all support for Kurdish operations as well as support for the US in the fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Abu Sayyaf threatened to behead one of the two German hostages if Germany did not comply with their demands.

The Abu Sayyaf group confirmed the release of two German hostages and announced that they had received the full ransom payment. However, the Chief of the Philippine Armed Forces, Gregorio Catapang, immediately refuted this information. He stated, "We do not negotiate with terrorists," and that he had received no information about any ransom payments.

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. Robles expressed his disappointment with the government's compromise, stating that the group would use the money to purchase more equipment such as weapons and boats to carry out further terrorist attacks.

In July, in a video circulated on YouTube, the Abu Sayyaf group pledged allegiance to and support the Islamic State (IS). This group is listed as a terrorist organization 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