Kidnapped sailor Jurgen Kantner

[Pelagic]

Looks like time is running out for kidnapped sailor

Local Philippine newspaper showed photo of a video of Jurgen pleading for help with Ransome.

Apparently being given till Feb 27th before they will execute him.



German hostage abducted in Philippines appears in video alive | ABS-CBN News

[mako]

According to the article "The group is made up of several small armed bands based in the mainly Muslim southern islands of Basilan and Jolo, where they are also holding a Dutchman and foreign crew members of several other vessels."

So why has Duerte not focused any energy down there? He's kicking butt in Manila, and has in Davos as well, isn't it time to get his country back under control???

[Pelagic]

Ironically, Duterte has recently asked for China's help in fighting pirates in Philippine waters.

A bit like asking the fox to gaurd the henhouse, but at least their terms of engagement will probably be more relaxed than with the US Navy as China is itching to demonstrate force in the region

The photos of the latest Video reported today was pretty graphic of him pleading with a machete to his neck while the bastards gave the families a deadline.

We can only hope for some kind of intervention.

[mako]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Ironically, Duterte has recently asked for China's help in fighting pirates in Philippine waters.

A bit like asking the fox to gaurd the henhouse, but at least their terms of engagement will probably be more relaxed than with the US Navy as China is itching to demonstrate force in the region

At this point perhaps politics isn't so important anymore. If China is willing to come in and brutally address the piracy issue with a heavy hand, then God bless them and good luck. This piracy/radicals issue is not longer a political threat, it is a threat to innocent civilians and tourists.

Hopefully they will come in before eat 27th of this month!

[MarkJ]

Hideous.

[S/V Alchemy]

Frankly, this is why the Philippines are off our list. The bottom half of the country seems without the rule of law and is not worth visiting. The fact that Canadians have been murdered there has also influenced our decisions.

[Seaworthydreams]

Originally Posted by makobuilders

According to the article "The group is made up of several small armed bands based in the mainly Muslim southern islands of Basilan and Jolo, where they are also holding a Dutchman and foreign crew members of several other vessels."

So why has Duerte not focused any energy down there? He's kicking butt in Manila, and has in Davos as well, isn't it time to get his country back under control???

Our son travels to the Philippines often throughout the year. It is very complicated.. and in order to get the southern islands under control, Duterte must do it one step at a time. This is a vicious war. He is cleaning up one providence at a time and moving towards the heavily populated areas. The Muslims are entrenched, militarized and serious about taking over the country. As you perfectly stated, "He's kicking butt in Manila, and has in Davos as well" Now on to General Santos!

[Shoalbay]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

Frankly, this is why the Philippines are off our list. The bottom half of the country seems without the rule of law and is not worth visiting. The fact that Canadians have been murdered there has also influenced our decisions.

I will avoid SW Pacific, too. Not paying ransoms is probably the best way to stop kidnappings. I have told my family to slam down the phone and not view anything that looks like ransom-related communication. That's easy to say from my armchair - you have to feel terrible for the families and friends of the kidnap victims.

[mako]

Originally Posted by Shoalbay

I will avoid SW Pacific, too.

Where in particular are you referring to?

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

Frankly, this is why the Philippines are off our list. The bottom half of the country seems without the rule of law and is not worth visiting. The fact that Canadians have been murdered there has also influenced our decisions.

I can understand your feelings as there have been a recent number of high profile and brutal Ransome crimes against sailors.

But in general, the country has been safe ranking about #79 on the crime index and until recently, low on kidnapping rates.

https://www.numbeo.com/crime/rankings_by_country.jsp

Philippines used to be very low on Kidnappings (far below Canada)

http://www.nationmaster.com/country-...me/Kidnappings

but are now ranked about 7 or 8th

https://www.google.com.ph/amp/s/amp....apping-2013-12

Statistics aside, it is a beautiful country and people.

Ironically, as the country performs far above average in global bussiness , the ordinary people are getting angry due to internal corruption, which will manifest itself in criminal ways.

My southern cruising grounds in the Philippines are now limited to the top end Mindanao.

[Shoalbay]

Originally Posted by makobuilders

Where in particular are you referring to?

The Philippines. I didn't intend to tar Aus and NZ with the same brush.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by Shoalbay

The Philippines. I didn't intend to tar Aus and NZ with the same brush.

Did you bring feathers
with that brush?[emoji33]

[Pelagic]

These guys who are doing the kidnapping are hiding under a political ruse...but this is purely commercial

[weavis]

Gentle people.

We all hold our own views regarding politics and religion and motivations for doing things.

What we can agree on is that murder and kidnapping are terrible and despicable acts to do to anyone.

May we the mods remind us all that CF is a cruising forum and find that discussions regarding the above topics usually end in hurt feelings and arguments. We will have to close the thread if it heads that direction...

Thanks for reading..

[weavis]

Gentle people.

The mods have removed all non relevant posts from this thread. We have also removed responses to removed posts. It doesnt mean that the responses were in any way disrespectful or political or religious, it just means they were redundant as the post no longer exists.
Its a cruising forum.