Philippine authorities are trying to verify reports that a kidnapped Indian national was executed by the Abu Sayyaf on the southern province of Sulu where the Antonio Freyra, the Sulu provincial police chief, said Biju Kolara Veetil, 36, was reported to have been killed by his captors despite ransom paid to the Abu Sayyaf by his Filipina wife. Freyra said, "We have intelligence reports about this but need to get a confirmation from his wife or find his body."
Veetil and his wife were visiting the womanÂ’s family when four gunmen seized the foreigner in June last year. Freyra said the womanÂ’s family had paid at least P800,000 to the Abu Sayyaf for VeetilÂ’s safe release, but the
He said a Malaysian gecko trader - Mohammad Nasaruddin Bensaidin – who had also been kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in April last year, was released after a local negotiator paid ransom. The kidnappers had originally demanded P5 million ransoms for Bensaidin's safe release.
The 38-year old Malaysian arrived in Sulu in April last year from Kuala Lumpur and had been living in a house in the village of Kajatian in Indanan town when he was kidnapped. Freyra said, "We are trying to locate the negotiator and get details of the release of Mohammad, but we canÂ’t trace him anymore."
He said another Japanese hostage, Katayama Mamaito, 63, is still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf. Mamaito, a treasure hunter, was kidnapped in June 2010 on the island-town of Pangutaran.
The Abu Sayyaf is also holding two fishermen, Renato Panisales and Wennie Ferrer – employees of the Mega Fishing Corporation in Zamboanga City – after they were seized at sea off Sulu in March last year. Their companion, Jonald Ocsimar, was set free in July after his family paid P300,000 ransom.
Another faction of the Abu Sayyaf is still holding an Australian citizen, Warren Rodwell, 52, in the province of Basilan, after he was kidnapped in December last year from his seaside home in Zamboanga Sibugay province. The kidnappers have demanded $2 million ransom for his release, but his Filipino wife said they cannot afford to pay. RodwellÂ’s fate remains unknown.
| See also: Japanese kidnap victim now Abu Sayyaf cook |