February 19, 2009, Sun Star, Military: Kidnapping a Sayyaf's diversionary tactic,

February 19, 2009, Sun Star, Military: Kidnapping a Sayyaf's diversionary tactic,

DEFENSE Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said Monday the Abu Sayyaf Group has resorted to kidnap-for-ransom activities anew either to divert the attention of pursuing law enforcement groups or to raise more funds for ammunition and to sustain their operations.

According to Teodoro, the bandit group is now feeling the pressure from government forces that they are now resorting to different diversionary tactics from kidnapping to bombing attacks.

"They're trying to conduct this diversionary kidnapping but the policy still goes that we will have no ransom policy and we will better our efforts at preventing these kidnappings," he said.

Teodoro said some unscrupulous groups are also taking advantage of the ongoing operations and kidnapping cases by engaging in kidnap-for-ransom activities, which is a form of "business."

He also believed that the kidnappings in the provinces of Basilan and Sulu may not be related.

Armed Forces Chief Alexander Yano said he is not sure if the kidnapping in the two provinces are related but what is certain is that the kidnapping is a "money making" venture.

Yano said there has been an upsurge or increased frequency in kidnapping which "are not really very prominent or high profile cases."

He said it could be due insufficient foreign funding support, "and maybe resources and ammunition."

"They cannot sustain the fight in a sustained and intensive manner. That could be the reason after about three months they have resulted to small units," he added.

Both Teodoro and Yano, however, dismissed possibilities that the kidnappings could be election-related feeling that politicians or rich businessmen should have been the targets of such kidnappings instead of members of apolitical group like the International Red Cross peace volunteers.

The defense chief said regardless of their purpose, the increased kidnapping is an indication that the government forces must "redouble" their efforts and ensure continued coordination with the local government units.

On the ongoing operations to rescue or secure the safe release of Red Cross members Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba, Yano said the military continue the pressure on the kidnappers without necessarily conducting any assault or military offensive at the moment.

Yano said the military, though prepared to conduct offensives to secure the safe release of the victims, remains open to peaceful options. He said the local crisis management committee remains in charge but the military had already contained them in the area where the victims and their captors are.

As this developed, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde appealed to all foreign nationals planning to visit parts of Mindanao either in a private or official capacity to coordinate with security officials to ensure their safety amid the series of kidnapping in parts of the island.

Remonde said it is the responsibility of the Philippine government to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone whether they are visiting foreigners or local residents.

Apart from the Red Cross members who were abducted in Patikul in Sulu last January 15, Sri Lankan national Omar Jalil, 36, a member of the Nonviolent Peaceforce, was also abducted in Lamitan, Basilan last February 13.  LINK: