15 Jun Abu Sayyaf Outsourcing Their Kidnapping Schemes by Hiring Local Criminal Groups
Image Source | rappler.com
On Tuesday, June 14, it has been reported that the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is “outsourcing” its kidnap-for-ransom operations, hiring local criminal groups to do the intelligence gathering and actual abduction operations.
It was known after Zamboanga del Norte Police Provincial Director, Police Senior Superintendent Edwin Buenaventura C. Wagan has captured Abner Gumandol at Barangay Kaliantana, Naga in Zamboanga Sibugay on Monday, June 12. He is believed to be a confederate of ASG.
They are also tasked to deliver the hostages to the Abu Sayyaf’s hideout in Jolo or Basilan. These local accomplices do the identifying and intelligence gathering on potential kidnap victims.
Wagan said that another group is then tapped to negotiate on behalf of the Abu Sayyaf for the ransom payment, Wagan said.
The captured Gumandol is responsible for the 2015 abduction of former Italian missionary Rolando del Torchio and Mayor Jeffrey Lim of Salug, Zamboanga del Norte, in 2012.
Based on what Wagan said, Gumandol is an Abu Sayyaf’s “spotter” in the case of Del Torchio.
On Tuesday, the ASG has just beheaded another Canadian hostage. After John Ridsdel on April, now it’s Robert Hall. They were part of the group of 4 who were abducted in a resort in Samal Island in Davao del Norte in September 2015.
The Philippine government condemned the brutal act of ASG and vowed to end the reign of their banditry.
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