Abu Sayyaf eager to cash in on 4 M’sians they kidnapped

PETALING JAYA: Abu Sayyaf militants are eager to cash in on the four Malaysians currently being held captive in Jolo.

Anti-kidnapping activist Prof Octavio Dinampo said it was clear the move to upload a photograph of the four on Facebook recently, meant the kidnappers wanted to pressure the victims’ families into negotiating a deal for their release.

The professor said this new tactic had been used because Malaysian authorities were seen as no longer willing to “bargain” with the gunmen.

“This is indicated in the Malaysian Government’s move to halt all barter trade between Sabah and southern Philippines after the beheading of hostage Bernard Thien last November and the kidnapping of the four men on April 1,” Prof Dinampo was reported by The Star as saying.

He also claimed the Abu Sayyaf needed the cash to help their counterparts in Basilan Island following massive military operations there to capture their leader Isnilon Hapilon.

Basilan gunmen, he alleged, were now bracing for a larger military offensive.

“Things are becoming complicated for the gunmen and that is why they are trying to get the cash as fast as possible,” The Star quoted him as saying.

Three days ago, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed that an image uploaded on Facebook was that of the four Malaysians kidnapped by gunmen near Pulau Ligitan, Semporna, Sabah.

The image, dated April 8 showd the four squatting while holding a piece of paper with the words ‘Victor Troy.’

The four – Wong Teck Kang, 31; Wong Hung Sing, 34; Wong Teck Chii, 29; and Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21 – were among nine crew members of a barge returning to Malaysia from the Philippines when they were kidnapped..

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