Malacañang and the military said they were not aware that ransom was paid for the release of four Malaysian sailors abducted by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) even after top Malaysian authorities and the families of the kidnap victims admitted that a huge amount of cash was paid to the bandit group.

Reacting to a report by The Manila Times on Monday on the supposed payment of P130 million (RM12 million) to the rebel group, Palace Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government adhered to the no-ransom policy and that they had no idea about the supposed payment.

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