Abu Sayyaf demanding P30 million ransom for five Indonesian fishermen

February 24, 2020

ZAMBOANGA CITY- The Abu Sayyaf have demanded a P30 million ransom to release five Indonesian fishermen they kidnapped on January 16 in Malaysian waters.

This was disclosed Monday by Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, saying the five Indonesians are n the hands of the Abu Sayyaf  in the hinterlands of Sulu.

“Yes, we monitored a report that they (ASG) are demanding P30 million ransom. The report came from the employer and the family of the five Indonesian fisherman,” Sobejana revealed.

Sobejana said they will follow the government's “no ransom policy.”

The five Indonesians were abducted by six gunmen while they were fishing in waters between Tambisan and Kuala Meruap, Lahad Datu, Sabah, close to the Philippine sea border in the evening of January 16.

The five were among the eight crew aboard a Sabah-registered trawler.

The five Indonesian fishermen were identified as Arsyad Dahlan, 41, skipper; La Baa, 32; Riswanto Hayano, 27; Edi Lawalopo, 53; and, Syarizal Kastamiran, 29. They are working for a Sandakan-based fishing company.

Sobejana said there is no ransom demand yet in exchange for the release of Dr. Daniel Moreno, who was seized in the evening of February 4 from his clinic in Barangay Walled City, Jolo, capital of Sulu.

Sobejana said they are looking into the possibility the Abu Sayyaf abducted Moreno to treat bandit sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who is suffering from tuberculosis. DMS