Playing Hardball on Abu Sayyaf Kidnapping
May 31, 2001 -- Months after they were paid millions for a handful of kidnapped Westerners, Muslim rebels in the Philippines have taken 20 more — but this time they're not likely to get anything.
The island nation's new president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered the pursuit of Abu Sayyaf kidnappers through the remote islands of the southern Philippines, after imposing a news blackout on the big military operation.
Twenty people, including three Americans, were kidnapped Sunday from a Philippines resort island.
Arroyo appears to have ruled out an approach used last year when Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi became involved in a multi-million dollar deal which saw six Westerners freed.
The six were part of a group taken last April, whose release eventually involved $25 million in "development aid" from Libya. The German newsmagazine Der Spiegel also paid about $5.5 million for the release of one of their reporters captured by the gang.
The French, German and Finnish governments sent emissaries to the Libyan capital, Tripoli, to thank Gaddafi and his son, Seif al-Islam, profusely for the successful "liberations." This enabled the Libyan leader to reinforce his campaign for Western recognition and the lifting of sanctions imposed on him for supporting terrorism.
No Pay For Another Taking
Last September, Abu Sayyaf captured U.S. citizen Jeffrey Schilling, a Muslim convert from Oakland, Calif.
The Philippine army rescued Schilling earlier this year, without any apparent ransom payments.
Where the Money Goes
The Abu Sayyaf —operating in the Philippines since 1990 — says it is fighting for an Islamic state in the island country.
The Abu Sayyaf — under the leadership of one of its original founders, Gaddafi Janjalani — has been involved in many kidnappings and acts of violence against Christian farmers and priests.
Janjalani is believed to have been given his name in recognition of Muammar Gaddafi's frequent involvement in Filipino affairs since the 1970s.
Sources in Manila say the Abu Sayyaf has used ransom money to stock up on arms, ammunition and supplies, including fast speedboats of the type used in the latest kidnapping.
These can easily outrun the older Philippines navy patrol boats.
No political or ransom demands have been publicly declared for the three Americans and 17 others kidnapped from a resort island on Sunday.