The Philippine government and its military were not aware that the families of the four Malaysians abducted by the Abu Sayyaf paid a large ransom to the separatist group for their release, reports The Manila Times.

The daily quoted Palace Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr as saying the authorities in the country adhered to a no-ransom policy and they had no idea about the purported payment of RM12 million to the southern Philippine-based rebel group.

The daily reported that the Philippine military also said it was not privy to negotiations for the release of the Malaysian sailors.

“We have no knowledge... (of the matter). We still maintain our unequivocal support for the no-ransom policy of the government,” it quoted Noel Detoyato, chief of the Public Affairs Office, as saying.

Detoyato said the military had discouraged payment of ransom because doing so would only embolden the militants to pull off more kidnappings.

“We have been publicly appealing to those concerned to desist paying ransom because it only strengthens the group if we pay,” he said.

The English daily was referring to reports that quoted Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (photo) as publicly admitting that RM12 million was paid for the freedom of brothers Wong Teck Kang and Wong Teck Chii, their cousin Johnny, and a fellow co-worker Wong Hung Sing.

It noted, however, that according to Zahid the money raised by the families was channelled to a Muslim foundation in the Philippines, not to Abu Sayyaf, in exchange for the freedom of the hostages.

“The families handed the sum to the police Special Branch and I can confirm that it was channelled to a certain organisation in the Philippines for a sanctioned cause,” it quoted Zahid as saying.

The reports stated that the four, who were abducted off the coast of Sabah on April 1 by a group of armed men, were later released to unidentified Filipino negotiators on June 8 in the Sulu province and were spirited away by Malaysian police to Sabah.

It also noted the conflicting statement by inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar who insisted that the money did not pass through police hands.