word was that gerfa and kevin had been taken to one of abu sayyaf's strongholds -- basilan, a large island four hours by boat from where they'd been kidnapped. to a base camp deep in what was nearly impenetrable jungle. >> we travelled to basilan to talk with the politicians there, who may have had some influence over this group. >> reporter: heiko had the fbi to help. but government money? no. >> they don't pay ransom. >> the government doesn't pay ransoms. >> right. >> any decisions that are made regarding ransoms are really made by the family. >> but it was actually to me no choice. i know i want to pay something. just to make sure they're safe. >> reporter: the week after the kidnapping heiko wired a ransom payment, close to $5,000, to a bank account in the philippines. >> i was thinking, pay them money and it's over. but they started wanting more and more and more. >> reporter: more weeks went by. mr. so reduced his demands from 10 million to 2 million. then 1 million. still impossible, of course. so the kidnappers turned up the heat. they put kevin on the line. >> dad! >> yeah. how a