Press Release No. 172-03
15 April 2003

OPLE LAUDS RECOVERY OF ABU SAYYAF'S INDON HOSTAGE

DFA Secretary Blas F. Ople expressed elation over the recovery of Indonesian hostage Julkipli from the Abu Sayyaf.  He is among the four tugboat crewmen taken when their vessel was waylaid by the Abu Sayyaf last year in the seas between Sulu and Basilan.

Secretary Ople expressed optimism that the nefarious activities of the Abu Sayyaf, which has caused much grief and suffering for their kidnap victims and their families, are finally coming to an end. The abduction of foreign tourists, Malaysian employees and two Filipino overseas workers in Sipadan Island, Malaysia in May 2000 drew global attention and added a new dimension to the notoriety of the Abu Sayyaf.  This bandit group did a reprise the following year, sweeping through a popular resort in Palawan and taking a number of Filipinos and Americans hostage.