Ma. Isabel Ongpin
THE following has been going on in the Sulu Sea in the past few months. First, a multiple number of sea-jackings for kidnapping for ransom purposes of international ships passing international waters. And the latest, the abduction and killing at sea of eight fishermen in the area. The very latest is the sudden freedom given to an Indonesian ship captain and a Filipino crewman after having been kidnapped months ago. Actually, “sudden” would not be the correct term. They were freed because ransom was obviously paid after time-consuming negotiations. The Philippine government disclaims having paid ransom or knowing anything about ransom being paid.