Money motivates Philippines kidnapping cases

Manila: A foreign-based think tank said the kidnapping cases in Mindanao are motivated by monetary rather than political and religious reasons.

Stratfor, an online publisher of geopolitical intelligence, had said that a study they conducted had pointed out the reasons for the abduction of individuals on the southern main island were rooted in financial gain for the perpetrators rather than ideology.

Stratfor said kidnappers would often cite religion or other motivations to rationalise the abductions, but in truth it was all a matter of money.

"They often attempt to use a veneer of ideology to justify their actions," it said.

Kidnapping of individuals, religious or otherwise, happens on an eerily occasional basis in the predominantly Moro inhabited areas of Central and Western Mindanao and most of these abductions are kidnap-for-ransom cases.

Stratfor said: "In negotiating kidnapping cases, however, Christian organisations have long resisted even the suggestion that they remove missionaries from a region or country."

Securing freedom

The think-tank's observation gained significance amid the backdrop of the abduction and release of Columban missionary Father Michael Sinnott. Sinnot, 79, was abducted from his residence at the Missionary Society of St. Columban compound in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, on October 11.

He was released by his captors on November 12. Fr Patrick O'Donoghue, the regional director (superior) of the Missionary Society of St Columban insisted that the missionary order did not pay ransom to secure Sinnott's freedom.