Defense chief: No ransom for Sulu hostages

MANILA, Philippines - Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday said paying ransom to the Abu Sayyaf for the release of its two European hostages in southern Philippines would be “self-defeating." This, as he vowed that the government would not give in to the $5-million ransom demand by the Abu Sayyaf in exchange for the release of Swiss Andreas Notter and Italian Eugenio Vagni. “We are not going to allow the payment of ransom here. Otherwise, it will be self-defeating," Teodoro said in a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo. Vagni and Notter, along with Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba, were abducted last January 15 in Sulu province. They were all volunteers from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Lacaba was released last April 2 to Sulu Vice Governor Lady Ann Sahidulla. Teodoro said giving in to the Abu Sayyaf’s ransom demand would be like rewarding them for their crimes. “I myself cannot accept the fact if we are going to reward a crime this way (paying ransom). This is going to be a bad example," he said. - GMANews.TV