Philippine military: Do not pay ransom to Basilan kidnappers

Philippine military officials have asked the families and owners of a plywood factory not to pay ransom to the kidnappers who abducted three employees in Basilan two weeks ago

Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, public affairs office chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, made this appeal Thursday shortly after receiving reports that the owner of the Hi-Tech Plywood factory, George Tan, had reportedly received a ransom demand of 6 million to 10 million pesos (128,500 to 214,000 U.S. dollars).

"If we pay ransom, this will encourage the kidnappers, to keep on abducting people," Brawner said.

Al Rasheed Sakkalahul, Basilan vice governor and chairman of the Crisis Management Committee (CMC), said the local government will not pay ransom to the kidnappers.

Chinese nationals Michael Tan and Oscar Lu; and Filipino Mark Singson were snatched by armed men last Nov. 10 at the premises of the factory the town of Maluso town.

Local officials suspect that the kidnappers are members of the Abu Sayyaf group - a terrorist organization which have links with the al-Qaeda.

Brawner said the CMC is trying to secure the freedom of the victims through negotiations. Thousands of soldiers have also been deployed to rescue the hostages.

Source: Xinhua