Friday, June 13, 2008

Another Abu Sayaff Take with a twist

Enough drastic thoughts on the mental decapitation of the villain of my life, let's turn on to a more global villain.

I'm sure most of you have heard about Ces Orena-Drilon's kidnapping together with her two cameramen in Sulu. ABS-CBN, a networking giant Drilon is working for, announced the official status of theMIA (Missing in action) Drilon, that she is officially...kidnapped.

Two possible reactions:

1. Abu Sayaff is a militant group fighting for their twisted cause, in association with the globally popular Jemaiah Islamiah. Apparently they also have a penchant for kidnapping people and asking for ransom money, to probably fuel their operations to support their version of terrorism. Abu Sayaff is known to kidnap almost anyone who crosses their way and who might prove to be profitable. That's what they do best, and I'm not that surprised.

2. What's surprising and shocking is that they captured Ces Orena-Drilon, a more senior and popular senior correspondent of a major news channel. People who may not know her by full name, might immediately recognize her face. Abu Sayaff captured a prominent media man and all publicity and hell will break loose.

The last report I read was that the militants were demanding a 50 Million ransom money that jumped up from 10 million, which informally lowered to 25 million. They are still in the process of haggling. But according to the news station where Drilon works for, they would not pay a single cent for her release. It's in the code to honor the no-ransom law of the government.

Really now? Can they bear the fact that Drilon's head may be at stake if they don't manage to extend any amount of monetary means? It's not a simple rice trader, it's Drilon, a public figure that represents majority of public interests and sentiments. Do you seriously think they wouldn't pay?

If paying needs to be done for life, then do it under the table and deal with it, unless Drilon is willing to die for her country in that means. I say choose the lesser evil.

The government should be able to find strategic ways to crush Abu Sayaff's power. Infiltrate them, put spies, detain and manage them more than ever. It doesn't seek something being conquered, but it's a protection to all sorts of citizens in the country who are living in uncertain times.

On a lighter note, just in case If Abu Sayaff accepts trade, I have two people on the list they might want to acquire. And with that I won't pay a single cent to free them, in fact I'll pay more just to take them away and enhance their crassiness. That would've been more profitable to me.

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