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Friday, October 10, 2008
Kidnappers demand P5-M ransom for aid workers
By Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The kidnappers of the two aid workers still held captive in Basilan province has demanded P5 million ransom in exchange for the release of one of the two hostages.
Vice Governor Alrasheed Sakalahul, head of the Crisis Management Committee formed to negotiate for the release of the hostages, made the disclosure Thursday.
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Sakalahul said the kidnappers have demanded P5 million for the release of Esperancita Hupida, the program director of the Nagdilaab Foundation Incorporated (NFI).
NFI is a non-profit organization that implements health, environmental, micro-lending and similar assistance projects, especially working hand in hand with Muslim leaders and residents particularly in conflict areas.
It was not yet known as to how much ransom the kidnappers want in exchange for the release of Millet Mendoza, a Manila-based freelance community development specialist.
Hupida and Mendoza were seized by 10 gunmen believed to be Abu Sayyaf bandits in the afternoon of September 15 in the village of Cabangalan, Unkaya Pukan town.
The captives were returning to Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province, coming from Tipo-Tipo where they are implementing humanitarian project when they were seized.
Hupida and Mendoza are now on their 24th day of captivity after they were kidnapped
Sakalahul, who was able to establish contact with the abductors, said the captives’ health conditions are not good.
With communication lines established, NFI President Fr. Angel Calvo said he and the NFI staffs are hopeful that the hostages will be freed soon.
He said the kidnapping of Hupida and Mendoza would not stop them from implementing humanitarian projects in Basilan province.
The kidnappers earlier demanded P1 million to start the negotiations for the release of the captives.
Calvo did not also disclosed whether they have paid the so-called negotiation fee of P1 million with the start of the negotiations for the safe release of the captives. (Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (October 10, 2008 issue)
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