In yet another slap to Manila’s “no ransom policy” the Basilan Electric Cooperative has paid “board and lodging fees totalling, according to one report, some P800,000 in exchange for the freedom of four of its linemen from the clutches of what the military last week called the “degraded capability” of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan.

Basilan Vice Gov. Al Rasheed Sakahalul said the 15-day ordeal of siblings Paul and Berian Herwig, and Emilberto and Alberto Singson, ended “after certain conditions were met.”

The Abu Sayyaf had threatened to behead the victims unless their ransom demand of P1 million was met.

Sakahalul said the ransom demand was not met but the bandit group got “certain amount” representing “board and lodging fees.”

This makes all too obvious that the label “degraded” is hollow.

There is also yet no word on the fate of abducted biologist Sherwin Nacua of the Mindanao State University.

About Author: Ding G. Gagelonia has written 408 articles. Ding G. Gagelonia has been a journalist for some 30 years, having worked in both radio and TV news and public affairs since his teens. Ding Gagelonia now writes independently and does corporate communications consulting. He has two kids, Felice and Luis. His journalist blog is at midfield.wordpress.com