Choosing the Lesser Evil

I was preparing to eat my bagel this morning, as I was buttering it up while reading the top stories for today. I didn't realize that my whole thumb was already coated with French Butter. Apparently, a report in Manila Times states that the Abu Sayaff captors demand 15 million ransom money today not later than noon to release captives namely Ces Drilon, a prominent newscaster, Encarnacion, part of the staff and Dinampo, a Mindanaoan professor. Failure to do so may result to grave circumstances.

ABS-CBN, Drilon's company, was deeply saddened and I'm sure worries for yet another backslashing of certain civilian units, since the network has expressed deeply that they "wouldn't" pay any ransom money for their release. As for the Government, Pres. GMA gave a resounding order to rescue the captives, yet gave no order or approval whatsoever to pay any ransom money.

If ABS-CBN nor the Government fail to give what ABU-SAYAFF is demanding today, the kidnappers would certainly harm the captives, and the worse possible case is resulting to their penchant for beheading. Certainly the families of these captives are tensed to the bone as is ABS-CBN for being helpless to rescue its "kapamilya" due to state responsibilities. Ransom money, as we know, should not be paid to these Abu Sayffs who are linked to the international terrorist groups, in the event of indirectly supporting their military funding.

It's kind of frustrating already. Why don't they just set up a decoy, ask help from some military units if they can, rescue the captives and totally destroy that militant unit. Seriously thinking that the captives won't be hurt wouldn't help, knowing that these rebels have a penchant for actually killing their captives by beheading. Another area frustrating is the reason why the kidnapping was possible in the first place. Drilon's group might have not taken proper precautions and opened a window of opportunity for these rebels. But that's already in the past. Nothing can bring back that fateful day.

There are couple of faces that the players might turn up in this charade. The government's perspectives should uphold the safety of its citizens in distress, but most importantly think collectively for the whole nation. That is why the government has the power to depend on military units and to forward the firm decision of not adhering to pay any ransoms. The ABS-CBN's perspective might support the government's lead, yet as a company they would have to be prepared to meet future public scrutiny and consequences. Since Drilon and group are directly connected with their organization, a certain level of accountability is adapted. To Drilon's family, she is not only a member of any organization or a mere citizen;' she is a member of their household, a mother, a wife and a relative, those areas hold deeper pain and sentimental assessment of the situation.

The burden to make the next move is now highlighted to the government and ABS-CBN's side of the fence. The next move, to pay the ransom or not to pay the ransom, to display excellent negotiating tactics or not, will determine not only the captives' fate, but the business of continued kindappings of these rebels.