Abu Sayyaf confirms receipt of P250-M ransom for Germans' release

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The Abu Sayyaf militants confirmed the payment of a huge ransom in exchange for the freedom of their captive German couple in the jungle of Sulu Friday night, its spokesman said.

Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Rami confirmed that the P250-million ransom was delivered before the 3 p.m. ultimatum they set on Friday to behead one of the Germans.

“Dumating talaga ang demand na P250 million pesos. Walang labis walang kulang,” Abu Rami said over the local radio DXRZ of Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) minutes after they released about Stefan Viktor Okonek and wife Henrike Dielen at 8:45 p.m.

Abu Rami said that although the other demand was not met, they maintained their call for the German government to stop its support to the United States campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Rami said the ransom was delivered by government emissaries.

Sources said the ransom money was contained in several black bags which were transported via a private plane that landed in the city.

“Two foreign nationals escorted the money,” another official disclosed.

The German couple, upon their release, were immediately transported by a naval patrol boat from Jolo, Sulu and arrived at Majini Pier inside the base of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM).

Newsmen were barred from covering the arrival of the victims which the military claimed was due to the request of the freed captives whom they described to be in a critical condition.

However, a footage provided inside the staff house of a naval official showed the freed victims were having peanut bread and coffee while casually talking.

The victims looked tired and haggard but appeared strong as they walked unaided except for Okonek who had an intravenous bag on his left hand while eating bread with his wife.

Okonek has also visible welt on his upper right eye. 

theywere later flown out this city secretly aboard a private plane about 5 a.m. Saturday, arrived in Manila and subsequently turned over to the German embassy in Manila. - By Roel Pareño (philstar.com)