Christmas in captivity

This probably would be the first Christmas for kidnap victim Joed Anthony Pilangga, a nursing student of Ateneo De Zamboanga University who has been in captivity by lawless elements since October 17th this year.

His family has been struggling to raise the amount demanded by the kidnappers, allegedly members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), and the reported figures varied from P72 million, to P20 million, and the recent much lower amount at P5 million.

Basilan Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul had earlier admitted that Pilangga’s family is not well-to-do that it can just produce even the lowest ransom demanded, which is five million pesos. "I really pity the family. They don't know where to go for help," the vice governor was quoted to have said.

Edna Pilangga, the victim’s mother, had said, "My Christmas wish is to see my son alive, free and happy together with us. That's the only Christmas gift I want." And this statement is expected of every mother who would do everything to have her son back in their home in Tetuan, here in Zamboanga City.

While the abductors have accordingly been negotiatingly directly with the Pilanggas, the family members that the city government of Zamboanga as well as the provincial government of Basilan, particularly that in Al-Barka, and the military have not been very helpful in looking for her son. "I wish local officials, the Basilan officials, will help us,” the weeping mother said.

Another kidnap victim is a nine-year old Lamiteña who was abducted on November 26, just about four weeks after Joed was forcibly taken, and they both are still in captivity.

Abu Sayyaf militants headed by Puruji Indama and Nur Hassan Jamiri have been tagged as those behind the spate of kidnappings, especially by the two victims who are still unfree.

SAYYAF ON DRUGS

Since last year, the Philippine military have pronounced that many among the Abu Sayyaf members are allegedly dependent on marijuana, cocaine, and the more common ‘shabu’ and other drugs to make them more ferocious. The effects of drugs on their mental faculties push them to be less human, increasing their sense of cruelty, military doctors said.

Marijuana plantations were discovered in Sulu last year, and since then, the link between drugs and terrorism have gradually been stitched.

YOUNG BANDITS

Even kidnap victims have attested to the ages of the kidnappers, and even when they would just be tagged as ‘terrorists’ or ‘bandits’ or simply ‘lawless’, what is alarming is the testimony that the perpetrators are young.

Recent reports speak of young warriors being trained among rebel camps in the hinterlands, however, what was not mentioned was the report on young bandits among these kidnap-for-ransom groups—be they based in Basilan or Sulu.

POINTS TO PONDER ON

The pointing out of these facts are brought about by two points that remain to be considered: first, that there are angles in these spate of kidnappings that need to be looked into by government officials, way beyond the release of the victims and the payment of ransom money; and second, that there are two individuals out there in Basilan who are spending Christmas in captivity. (Frencie L. Carreon)