AFP: Operations underway to rescue ASG hostages

(Updated 8:46 p.m.) The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Friday that law enforcement operations are ongoing to rescue German hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) but refused to give more details.

"Ongoing ang law enforcement operations, hindi ko masabi na saan, kailan, o saan specifically dahil ayaw nating ma-endanger ang buhay ng ating mga hostages," Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, AFP spokesman, said.

"Hindi ko masabi 'yung exact, basta 'yung ang tropa ay andoon, sila ay gumagawa ng tasking na naka-describe doon sa specifications na gusto ng special action committee," he said.

He also said that checkpoints have been set up and security operations such as deploying troops to block supplies to the bandits.

Stefan Victor Okonek, 71,  and  Herike Diesen, 55, were taken by the ASG while on board their yacht in waters between Palawan and Sabah last April.

Earlier this week, the bandits threatened to execute one of the hostages after 3 p.m. on Friday unless a P250-million ransom was paid.

Army monitoring developments

According to a "24 Oras" report aired Friday, the Army's Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City has been monitoring the situation all day but has not received significant information — particularly on whether one of the hostages had been beheaded or not — yet.

The Western Mindanao Command recently created a special action committee with the help of the provincial government of Sulu.

Meanwhile, sources from Reuters news agency said Germany's foreign minister will send a special envoy to the Philippines to serve as a negotiator with the ASG.

Reuters also reported that part of the ransom had been paid and that the Abu Sayyaf would not behead Okonek because of this.

The Army has neither denied nor confirmed this new development. — Trisha Macas/JDS, GMA News