Sayyaf Negotiators Detained; Former Rebels Stand Behind Jailed Leader

Southern Philippines military chief Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga presents freed Abu Sayyaf hostage Prof. Octavio Dinampo, (left), of the Mindanao State University, during a news conference in Zamboanga City on Thursday, June 19, 2008. Militants tied to al-Qaeda terror network freed Dinampo on Sulu island along with ABS-CBN television presenter Ces Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion on Wednesday. Another cameraman Angelo Valderama was also freed June 12. The four were released allegedly in exchange for over P20 million. Police detained Sulu town Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son Haider Isnaji who negotiated with the Abu Sayyaf for the freedom of the hostages, officials say. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 19, 2008) – Former Muslim separatist rebels have stood behind one of their leaders accused as involved in the kidnapping of a Filipino television presenter and three others in the southern island of Sulu.

The Moro National Liberation Front said it is behind Sulu Mayor Alvarez Isnaji, who was implicated by the police along with his son, Haider, to the Abu Sayyaf kidnapping June 8 of Ces Drilon and her cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama, of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., and their guide Octavio Dinampo.

“We were all shocked by the news. This is very unfortunate because Mayor Isnaji is a good man. We don’t believe he is involved in anyway with the kidnappings and he should be set free by the authorities,” MNLF chieftain Muslimin Sema told the Mindanao Examiner.

Sema, who is also the mayor of Cotabato City, said Isnaji’s arrest could have an effect in his candidacy in the regional elections in August. “This incident will surely have an effect on the candidacy of Mayor Isnaji,” he said.Isnaji, of Indanan town, is one of seven candidates for governor in the Muslim autonomous region, whose current leadership, Zaldy Ampatuan, is a known ally of President Gloria Arroyo.

Press Secy. Jesus Dureza said authorities are still investigating Isnaji’s involvement in the kidnapping of Drilon’s group. “Let us wait for the results of the ongoing investigation. The government’s trajectory now is to get all those involved in the kidnapping and apply the full force of the law.”

“If there is sufficient evidence adduced against anyone, Mayor Isnaji included, then the axe of justice will necessarily take its swing. On the other hand, if there is no sufficient quantum of proof to link Mayor Isnaji to the kidnapping, then he deserves exculpation and full vindication,” he said.

Isnaji is also the current chairman of the Sulu League of Municipalities. Before he became mayor, Isnaji was the Speaker of the Regional Legislative Assembly in the Muslim autonomous region and became also the acting regional governor in 2001.

He is also a senior member of the MNLF’s Central Committee which signed a peace agreement with Manila in 1996.

Isnaji was handpicked by the Abu Sayyaf to negotiate for the release of the hostages. He admitted paying several hundreds of thousands of pesos for the freedom of Drilon's group on top of a package of livelihood aids and infrastructure projects allegedly promised by Senator Loren Legarda, who helped in the negotiations.

“Senator Loren Legarda herself promised livelihood aids and infrastructure projects for these people. We did not pay ransom except for one hundred thousand pesos as payment for (board and lodging) expenses. Our commitment to the kidnappers is livelihood and infrastructure projects, such as farm-to-market roads,” Isnaji said.
Legarda denied promising anything to the Abu Sayyaf.

The Abu Sayyaf freed the four hostages separately after reportedly collecting as much as P20 million ransoms. Police insisted no ransom was paid to the militant group tied to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya.

Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan, the head of the local crisis management committee, has repeatedly discouraged negotiators from paying ransom to the Abu Sayyaf because he said the money would likely be used to buy weapons and finance terrorism and more kidnappings in the island, one of six provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

Interior Secy. Ronaldo Puno said Isnaji and his son have been detained in Manila. The two were picked up in Zamboanga City after they accompanied Drilon’s group on Wednesday.

Puno said the duo could be held liable for kidnapping. “The charges can range from anywhere to being a co-conspirator in the kidnappings to being a principal in the kidnapping incident,” he said.

Puno tagged the group of Radulan Sahiron as behind the kidnapping of Drilon’s group who was intercepted in Maimbung town while on their way to secretly interview the Abu Sayyaf leader.

Police also implicated Abu Sayyaf leaders Albader Parad, Gafur Jumdail, Umbra Jumdail, Tuan Walis and Sulayman Patta as among about 30 gunmen involved in the kidnappings.

Military authorities on Thursday also presented Dinampo to journalists in Zamboanga City after media reports claimed he was also arrested on suspicion as being involved in the kidnapping.

“I am not being held against my will,” Dinampo, also the leader of the independent Mindanao People’s Caucus, said inside a tightly guarded room it the Western Mindanao Command headquarters.

Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, regional military chief, said Dinampo, a professor of the Mindanao State University, underwent a routine debriefing, the same procedures the freed hostages also went through.

“We did not hold him and he is here with his family and friends and they will return home to Davao City,” Allaga said.

Dinampo, clad in a white t-shirt and a pair of denim pants, was in tears as he told his ordeal in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf. He also defended Isnaji and said the former MNLF rebel leader, was instrumental in their release.

“There is no basis for the authorities to hold Mayor Isnaji. Isnaji was someone the negotiators trust since (Sulu Deputy Gov. Nur Ana) Sahidulla was rejected by the Abu Sayyaf,” Dinampo said.

Security forces were preparing for a fresh offensive against the Abu Sayyaf after militants freed all their hostages. “We are now tracking down the kidnappers,” Allaga said.

Police in Sulu said security forces manning a checkpoint along KM.2 in Jolo town have recovered Thursday some 2,500 pieces of blasting caps from two men. It was unknown where the contraband came, but blasting caps are widely used in illegal fishing in Sulu, about 1,000 kilometers south of Manila.

The United States listed the Abu Sayyaf as a foreign terrorist organization and has offered rewards of up to $5 million for the capture of its known leaders. It also deployed a few hundred Marines and Special Forces soldiers in Sulu to help the Filipino military defeat the Abu Sayyaf. (Mindanao Examiner)

Security Forces Ready To Strike At Sayyaf Terrorists In Sulu

Freed Abu Sayyaf hostage Ces Drilon, of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, waves to reporters in Zamboanga City on Wednesday June 18, 2008. Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and their guide university professor Octavio Dinampo were freed in the hinterlands of Sulu after 9 days in captivity. The militants tied to al-Qaeda last week freed Drilon�s cameraman Angelo Encarnacion after negotiators paid several hundreds of thousands of pesos as "board and lodging" fee. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 18, 2008) – Philippine security forces were preparing for a fresh offensive against the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group after militants freed a kidnapped television presenter and her cameraman in the southern island of Sulu, officials said on Wednesday.

Gunmen freed before midnight Tuesday Ces Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., including a university professor Octavio Dinampo after more than a week in captivity in Sulu’s jungle.

“We will launch an offensive in a few days, although the operations against the Abu Sayyaf still continue in Sulu,” Army Major Eugene Batara, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Police in Sulu also said it is awaiting orders to mount fresh operation against the kidnappers. “We have 150 warm bodies here and I can produce up to 400 policemen to run after the kidnappers. We are awaiting orders,” Sulu police chief Julasirim Kasim.

The Abu Sayyaf last week freed Drilon's cameraman Angelo Valderama after negotiators reportedly paid P5 million ransom. Sources in Sulu said at least P18 million were allegedly paid to the Abu Sayyaf.

Police said no ransom was paid for the release of all the hostages, but the militants originally demanded P20 million and had threatened to behead their captives if money is not paid. Senator Loren Legarda and Sulu town Mayor Alvarez Isnaji were largely credited for the safe release of the four hostages kidnapped on June 8 in Maimbung town while on their way to meet with an Abu Sayyaf terror leader Radulan Sahiron, who has sent surrender feelers to the government.

Police have tagged Albader Parad, Gafur Jumdail, Umbra Jumdail, Tuan Walis and Sulayman Patta as among about 30 gunmen involved in the kidnappings.

Isnaji, who was selected by the Abu Sayyaf to negotiate for the release of the hostages, admitted that he paid P100, 000 for the freedom of Drilon’s group on top of a package of livelihood aids and infrastructure projects promised by Legarda.

“Senator Loren Legarda herself promised livelihood aids and infrastructure projects for these people. We did not pay ransom except for one hundred thousand pesos as payment for (board and lodging) expenses. Our commitment to the kidnappers is livelihood and infrastructure projects, such as farm-to-market roads,” Isnaji said.

Isnaji also paid several hundreds of thousands of pesos to the kidnappers to buy the freedom of Valderama.

Isnaji the family of Drilon is negotiating directly with the Abu Sayyaf and even promised to pay ransom to the kidnappers. Drilon's family denied the accusations. Isnaji previously threatened to resign as negotiator if the victims' families continue to talk directly with the Abu Sayyaf for the safe release of the hostages.

Other reports in Sulu said as much as P10 million was allegedly paid to the Abu Sayyaf for the release of Drilon, Encarnacion and Dinampo. The ABS-CBN repeatedly said that it will not pay ransom to the Abu Sayyaf for the release of the hostages.

Sources earlier said unidentified negotiators from Manila have made contacts with the Abu Sayyaf to discuss ransom payment. And sources said that once ransom is paid, the kidnappers would make it appear that they freed the hostages in exchange for government livelihood projects.

The reports cannot be independently confirmed.

Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan, the head of the local crisis management committee, has repeatedly discouraged negotiators from paying ransom to the Abu Sayyaf because he said the money would likely be used to buy weapons and finance terrorism and more kidnappings in the island, one of six provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

The United States listed the Abu Sayyaf as a foreign terrorist organization and has offered rewards of up to $5 million for the capture of its known leaders.

The Abu Sayyaf released Drilon to government emissaries on a remote village near Talipao town. Drilon, looking pale and haggard, wept as she thanked those who negotiated for their release.

“I want to thank everybody. Words are not enough to thank those who prayed for the professor, Jimmy, Angel, and my self,” Drilon, clad in a sweat shirt and a pair of jogging pants, told reporters in Sulu.

Drilon and her group arrived by military helicopter in Zamboanga City at dawn Wednesday where doctors examined their conditions and authorities interviewed them about the identities of their kidnappers.

Drilon, accompanied by ABS-CBN executive Maria Ressa, later held a press conference with Legarda at a beach resort near a military base in Zamboanga City.

She said they were kidnapped by gunmen because their guide, Dinampo, was betrayed by his contacts. “I cannot give details of what really happened but we are cooperating with the authorities. We suspect that our guide was betrayed that’s why we were kidnapped,” she said.

Dinampo was taken by authorities and is being interviewed by police investigators and so were Isnaji and his son, Haider, who helped in the negotiation. Drilon said Isnaji helped a lot in the negotiation with the kidnappers.

Drilon detailed how they were treated by their captors and in several occasions threatened with harm. She said she was slapped several times by her guard and at one point thought they would die in captivity.

But the news conference was cut short after police commandos stopped dozens of journalists from asking Drilon questions about her ordeal until Avelino Razon, the chief of the Philippine National Police, arrives to join them.

When reporters continued their questions, policemen pushed them away and sparking a commotion that eventually disrupted the press conference. Razon later arrived and continued the news conference but only with Legarda. Some disgruntled journalists walked out to protest the arrogance of police guards.

Policemen also prevented reporters from going to a nearby restaurant inside the resort and herded them on one corner.

Drilon’s group was flown to Manila on a private jet and there they held a news conference where they gave details of their harrowing ordeal from the hands of their captors, one of them a 12-year old boy armed with a rifle.

“I always go after the story, sometimes not thinking about my loved ones, my mom, my kids and this time, I guess I have to think also that many people love me. I am so irresponsible to do this to my children, to my mother, my sisters and my brothers,” she said.

Drilon said she disregarded warnings by ABS-CBN not to venture in areas where the Abu Sayyaf operates. “I put the life of my team in danger,” she said.

Despite her ordeal, Drilon sympathized with her captors, saying, many of them live in misery, but she was quick to condemn the kidnappers. “What they (Isnaji) promised (to the kidnappers) is livelihood projects to aid (these people).

“I don’t want to justify what they are doing because they are bandits. We are cooperating with the authorities, but we need to understand what they do these things, there were bandits who are 12-years old and holding a gun already; and 17-years old and 15-years old and you realized why these children are armed with these weapons instead of notebook and pencils. They should be in school,” Drilon said.

Encarnacion said they were hit with rifles by the kidnappers, who also threatened to execute them. “They have repeatedly threatened to behead me. I was really scared,” he said.

Legarda said the ABS-CBN contacted and sought her help to secure the freedom of Drilon’s group. Legarda, a former ABS-CBN reporter, was also behind the release of a kidnapped journalist Arlene dela Cruz in 2002 in Sulu province.She said Drilon, during captivity, would call her on the phone to say that the kidnappers were hurting them.

“At one point, she (Drilon) asked me, ‘Tell me Loren, are you gonna come or not, tell me if you are not coming so I can meet my fate and accept my fate,’ as if she is giving me an ultimatum and she was crying and telling me that they (kidnappers) are slapping her face.”

“So I really have to work double time and extra hard and I really made sure (with ABS-CBN) that they not make public my identity or role in the negotiations,” Legarda said. (Mindanao Examiner)

Abu Sayyafs Release Kidnapped Philippine TV Reporter, 2 Others In Sulu

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 18, 2008) – Abu Sayyaf gunmen freed before midnight Tuesday a Philippine television presenter and two others kidnapped in the southern island of Sulu.

The hostages, Ces Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., including a university professor Octavio Dinampo were freed to government emissaries in Sulu’s hinterlands.

It was unknown if government negotiators paid ransom or not, but the kidnappers had demanded P15 million in exchange for the lives of the three hostages.
The ABS-CBN has confirmed the release of the hostages.

“ABS-CBN senior correspondent Ces Oreña Drilon and cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion were released by their abductors in Sulu province Tuesday night,” it said.

The Abu Sayyaf last week freed Drilon's cameraman Angelo Valderama after negotiators reportedly paid P5 million.

Sulu Mayor Alvarez Isnaji negotiated for the safe release of all the victims. He said he only paid several hundreds of thousands of pesos as Valderama's "board and lodging" fee, but he confirmed the Abu Sayyaf ransom demand. Isnaji was selected by the Abu Sayyaf to negotiate for the release of the hostages.

Isnaji the family of Drilon is negotiating directly with the Abu Sayyaf and even promised to pay ransom to the kidnappers. Drilon's family denied the accusations. Isnaji threatened to resign as negotiator if the victims' families continue to talk directly with the Abu Sayyaf for the safe release of the hostages.

Isnaji earlier told the Mindanao Examiner that he expected the trio's release late Tuesday or on Wednesday. He did not give details or what was agreed between his group and the Abu Sayyaf, but said “they should be out very soon.”

The ABS-CBN repeatedly said that it will not pay ransom to the Abu Sayyaf for the release of Drilon's group.

Local sources said unidentified negotiators from Manila have made contacts with the Abu Sayyaf and discussed the payment of ransom. Sources said once the ransom is paid, the kidnappers would make it appear that they freed the hostages in exchange for government livelihood projects.

Drilon's group was seized June 8 in the town of Maimbung while on their way to meet with an Abu Sayyaf terror leader Radulan Sahiron, whose group is believed to be holding the hostages. Aside from Sahiron, military and police also tagged Albader Parad, Gafur Jumdail and Umbra Jumdail as involved in the kidnappings along with two others Walid alias Tuan Walis and Sulayman Patta.

Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan, the head of the local crisis management committee, appealed to negotiators not to pay ransom to the Abu Sayyaf because the money is likely to be used to buy weapons and finance terrorism and more kidnappings.

The United States listed the Abu Sayyaf as a foreign terrorist organization and has offered rewards of up to $5 million for the capture of its known leaders.
US troops are deployed in Sulu province since 2006 and assisting Philippine forces defeat the Abu Sayyaf. (Mindanao Examiner)

Abu Sayyaf To Free Kidnapped Philippine TV Presenter, 2 others

Sulu Mayor Alvarez Isnaji, who is negotiating for the safe release of a Philippine television presenter Ces Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and university professor Octavio Dinampo, speaks on his phone at the Provincial Capitol in Patikul town. Isnaji told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner that the trio would be freed on June 17 or early next day by their Abu Sayyaf captors. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 17, 2008) – Abu Sayyaf militants whose group is tied to al-Qaeda terror network may free a kidnapped Philippine television reporter and two others in the southern island of Jolo, a government negotiator said Tuesday.

The Abu Sayyaf kidnapped Ces Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., including a university professor Octavio Dinampo and demanded P15 million ransoms. The kidnappers originally set the ransom deadline at noon Tuesday, but extended this for another 24 hours, said Gafur Kanain, an aide of Sulu Mayor Alvarez Isnaji, who was selected by the Abu Sayyaf to negotiate for the release of the hostages.

The gang last week freed Drilon's cameraman Angelo Valderama after negotiators reportedly paid P5 million. Isnaji said he only paid several hundreds of thousands of pesos as Valderama's "board and lodging" fee, but he confirmed the Abu Sayyaf demand.

Isnaji the family of Drilon is negotiating directly with the Abu Sayyaf and even promised to pay ransom to the kidnappers. Drilon's family denied the accusations. Isnaji threatened to resign as negotiator if the victims' families continue to talk directly with the Abu Sayyaf for the safe release of the hostages.

Isnaji said he spoke with Drilon on the phone and appealed to him not to abandon the negotiation for their freedom. He said Drilon, who was crying and worried over their fate in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf.

Isnaji said he expected the trio’s release late Tuesday or on Wednesday. He did not give details or what was agreed between his group and the Abu Sayyaf.

The hostages are believed being held in caves in the jungle of Mount Tumatangis in Indanan town, but other intelligence reports said the kidnappers have been constantly moving from one hideout to another in nearby towns of Talipao and Maimbung to avoid detection by the military.

The ABS-CBN repeatedly said that it will not pay ransom to the Abu Sayyaf for the release of Drilon's group. "We are saddened and troubled by accusations that ABS-CBN has abandoned Ces and Jimmy," the television network said in a statement.

"ABS-CBN is doing everything it can to help them and their families through this harrowing ordeal," it said.

Local sources said unidentified negotiators from Manila have made contacts with the Abu Sayyaf and were discussing the payment of ransom. Once the ransom is paid, the kidnappers would make it appear that they freed the hostages in exchange for government livelihood projects.

Drilon's group was seized June 8 in the town of Maimbung while on their way to meet with an Abu Sayyaf terror leader Radulan Sahiron, whose group is believed to be holding the hostages.

Aside from Sahiron, military and police also tagged Albader Parad, Gafur Jumdail and Umbra Jumdail as involved in the kidnappings along with two others Walid alias Tuan Walis and Sulayman Patta.

Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan, the head of the local crisis management committee, appealed to negotiators not to pay ransom to the Abu Sayyaf because the money is likely to be used to buy weapons and finance terrorism and more kidnappings.

Military tanks and trucks transporting government soldiers were seen Monday in Jolo town. It was unknown if they were preparing to mount a rescue operation.

Troops on Sunday fired about a dozen rounds of cannons toward the hinterlands of Sulu near where the Abu Sayyaf is hiding. But at least 5 people were wounded in the shelling and more than a thousand villagers fled their homes in Indanan town for fear they would be hit by indiscriminate attacks on the Abu Sayyaf.

Philippine authorities linked the Abu Sayyaf to both the al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya, blamed for the spate of terrorism in the southern Philippines. The demand for huge ransom has already lured many militants to join the group holding the hostages.

There were no known instances in Sulu that the Abu Sayyaf released their captives without paying ransom. In the past kidnappings, politicians or private and even government negotiators themselves paid hefty ransom to the Abu Sayyaf to secure the hostages. And worse, some negotiators and their emissaries usually make money by increasing or getting a cut on the ransom.

Kidnappings-for-ransom has virtually become a lucrative business for the Abu Sayyaf and a virtual livelihood for the group most feared in the southern Philippines. It was linked to many kidnappings of wealthy Filipino traders and foreigners in the southern Philippines with most of the victims opted to paying ransom or risk getting killed in captivity.

And Abu Sayyaf militants are known to rape their female captives, whether they are young or old, and in many instances beheaded their male hostages if their families refused to pay ransom.

Washington listed the Abu Sayyaf as a foreign terrorist organization and has offered rewards of up to $5 million for the capture of its known leaders. US troops are deployed in Sulu province since 2006 and assisting Philippine forces defeat the Abu Sayyaf. (Mindanao Examiner)

Abu Sayyaf Threatens Hostages In Sulu

A convoy of military tanks and trucks transporting soldiers pass on a village Monday, June 16, 2008 in Sulu province in southern Philippines where Abu Sayyaf militants tied to al-Qaeda terror network are holding since June 8 an ABS-CBN television reporter Ces Drilon, her camera Jimmy Encarnacion and university professor Octavio Dinampo. Sulu Mayor Isnaji Alvarez, top, who is negotiating with the Abuy Sayyaf says the kidnappers set an ultimatum June 17 for P15 million they are demanding for the release of the hostages. Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan, head of the local crisis management committee, talks to the media in Jolo town. Tan appeals to negotiators not to pay ransom to the Abu Sayyaf. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 16, 2008) – Abu Sayyaf militants tied to al-Qaeda terror network have threatened to harm a kidnapped Philippine television news reporter, her cameraman and a university professor if their families fail to pay ransom.

Militants kidnapped Ces Drilon and Jimmy Encarnacion, who work for the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, and their guide Octavio Dinampo, of the Mindanao State University on June 8 in Maimbung town in Sulu province.

They were on their way to secretly interview a senior Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron, who has sent surrender feelers to authorities to lure journalists in Sulu.

One cameraman Angelo Valderama was freed on June 12 after negotiators allegedly paid P5 million ransom. The kidnappers, believed to be headed by Sahiron himself, gave an ultimatum until Tuesday for the families of the hostages to pay P15 million ransom.

"They threatened to harm the hostages if their demand is not met by noon on Tuesday," said Jun Alvarez, a son of Sulu mayor Isnaji Alvarez, who was selected by the kidnappers to negotiate for the freedom of the victims.

"I don't know what they will do with the hostages. Let us pray that nothing bad will happen to them," he told the Mindanao Examiner, adding, the kidnappers, angered by the slow progress of the talks with Drilon's family, have tied the hands of Encarnacion and Dinampo.

The elder Isnaji the family of Drilon is negotiating directly with the Abu Sayyaf and even promised to pay ransom to the kidnappers. "The kidnappers told me that the family would pay ransom and that is the basis of their ultimatum. The kidnappers are demanding P15 million," he said.

He said he spoke with Drilon on Monday morning and she appealed anew to fast track the negotiation for their release. "She was crying and appealed again to fast track the negotiations. She said the kidnappers have tied the hands of Encarnacion and Dinampo," Isnaji said.

The ABS-CBN, which rejected paying ransom to the kidnappers, reported that Drilon's family denied negotiating with the Abu Sayyaf.

Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan, the head of the local crisis management committee, appealed to negotiators not to pay ransom to the Abu Sayyaf. "Paying ransom is not the solution to resolve this hostage crisis, but it will create us more troubles because the Abu Sayyaf can use the money to buy weapons and finance terrorism," he said.

Isnaji briefed Tan on the progress of the negotiations. Isnaji threatened to resign as negotiator if the victims' families continue to talk directly with the Abu Sayyaf for the safe release of the hostages.

"There should only be one negotiator and we cannot continue talking to the kidnappers if other people are also negotiating. So if this continues, I will resign as negotiator and leave everything to them," Isnaji said.

Military tanks and trucks transporting government soldiers were seen Monday in Jolo town. But it was unknown if they were preparing to mount a rescue operation.

On Sunday, soldiers fired about a dozen rounds of cannons toward the hinterlands of Sulu and the military it targeted the group of Sahiron and a leader of the Jemaah Islamiya, Umar Patek.

But at least 5 people were wounded in the shelling and more than a thousand villagers fled their homes in Indanan town for fear they would be hit by the indiscriminate attacks on the Abu Sayyaf.

Philippine authorities linked the Abu Sayyaf to both the al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya, blamed for the spate of terrorism in the southern Philippines. The demand for huge ransom has already lured many militants to join the group holding the hostages.

Alvarez admitted to have paid a few hundred thousand pesos to the kidnappers with some of the money coming from Sulu Deputy Gov. Nur Ana Sahidulla for the release of Valderama on top of ransom allegedly paid by private negotiators in Manila.

Sahidulla is helping Alvarez secure the freedom of the remaining hostages. She appealed to the kidnappers to free Drilon's group.

Washington listed the Abu Sayyaf as a foreign terrorist organization and has offered rewards of up to $5 million for the capture of its known leaders. US troops are deployed in Sulu province since 2006 and assisting Philippine forces defeat the Abu Sayyaf. (Mindanao Examiner)

Muslim Woman Injured In Military Shelling In Sulu

A policeman guards Sunday, June 15, 2008 the Jolo wharf in Sulu in the southern Philippines as a Philippine Navy ship anchors nearby. Locals continue their daily routine as if there is no hostage crisis in Sulu. Abu Sayyaf gunmen are still holding a kidnapped ABS-CBN reporter Ces Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, including Professor Octavio Dinampo, of the Mindanao State University. Another cameraman Angelo Valderama was freed June 12 after negotiators paid several hundreds of thousands as "board and lodging" fees. The kidnappers are demanding money between P10 million to P50 million for the release of the hostages who were seized June 8 in Maimbung town while on their way to secretly interview a senior Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 15, 2008) – A Muslim grandmother was rushed to hospital on Sunday for shrapnel wounds after Philippine security forces fired about a dozen rounds of cannons in the hinterlands of Sulu province, where Abu Sayyaf militants are holding three people since last week.

The 65-year old woman was rushed to the Sulu Provincial Hospital in Jolo town by her relatives from Indanan town, where troops fired at least a dozen rounds of Howitzer cannons at dawn Sunday.

It was unknown if there were other victims aside from the old woman.

Military officials issued conflicting statements on why troops fired cannons despite ongoing negotiations for the release of ABS-CBN television reporter Ces Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, including a university professor, Octavio Dinampo.

They were kidnapped June 8 in Maimbung town while on their way to secretly interview an Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron, who earlier sent surrender feelers. Sahiron’s group is believed holding the hostages.

The Abu Sayyaf freed on Thursday another cameraman Angelo Valderama after negotiators headed by Indanan town Mayor Isnaji Alvarez paid several hundreds of thousands of pesos as “board and lodging” fee.

Isnaji said he is worried the firing of cannons could endanger the lives of the hostages.

The firing began at around 3 a.m. and the sound of the loud explosions from Howitzer cannons can be heard from as far as Jolo, Patikul and Indanan towns.It was unknown if the firing was a prelude to rescue the hostages, but President Gloria Arroyo has ordered police and military forces to get back all the hostages.
More soldiers arrived Sunday in Sulu on board the Philippine Navy ship BRP Bacolod City.

Sahiron, a notorious terror man, is included on the most wanted lists both of the Philippines and the United States because of killings and kidnappings of foreigners and Filipinos.

The Abu Sayyaf selected Isnaji to negotiate for the release of the hostages. The kidnappers were demanding as much as P50 million for the release of all the victims, but ABS-CBN said it will not pay ransom to the gang. Manila also said it will not pay ransom to secure the release of the hostages.

And more militants have reportedly joined the Abu Sayyaf group that is holding the hostages because of ransom. It said the number of the Abu Sayyaf is expected to increase as negotiations for the release of the hostages drag on.

Authorities fear that any ransom paid to the Abu Sayyaf could be used to purchase weapons and fund terrorism in the southern Philippines, where security forces are also battling Muslim and communist separatist rebels the past four decades.

Alvarez said the kidnappers were also negotiating directly with Drilon's family, but he did not give details of the progress of the talks.

He said the kidnappers were getting restless over the failure of Drilon’s family to resolve the crisis. He said the captors gave an ultimatum until Tuesday for the victims’ families to secure the release of the hostages.

“We don’t know what they are up to and what they are asking from the family of Drilon, but they gave me an ultimatum until Tuesday to resolve this problem. The kidnappers wanted the family of Drilon to comply with their agreement,” Alvarez said without elaborating further.

Alvarez said he spoke to Drilon after her captors contacted him on his cell phone thrice on Saturday – one at 1.30 p.m. and then it was followed at 5 p.m. and the last at 9 p.m. – and the hostage appealed anew to fast track the negotiations for their release.

“Ces Drilon keeps on telling me to fast track the talks so they can come out safely,” Alvarez said, adding, Drilon’s family must closely coordinate with him in their negotiations. “I need to know what the family of Drilon promised to the kidnappers. All negotiations should pass through me,” he said.

Washington listed the Abu Sayyaf as a foreign terrorist organization and has offered rewards of up to $5 million for the capture of its known leaders. US troops are deployed in Sulu province since 2006 and assisting the Philippine military defeats the Abu Sayyaf. (Mindanao Examiner)

Photo: Children Play At Sea In Sulu Just As Ordinary Days Despite Kidnap Crisis

A boy jumps from a wharf Sunday, June 15, 2008 in the southern Philippine island of Sulu, as a group of children watch in awe. And children enjoy swimming in the clear water as a Philippine Navy ship anchors in Jolo town.

Locals continue their daily routine as if there is no hostage crisis in Sulu. Abu Sayyaf gunmen are still holding a kidnapped ABS-CBN reporter Ces Drilion and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, including Professor Octavio Dinampo, of the Mindanao State University. Another cameraman Angelo Valderama was freed June 12 after negotiators paid several hundreds of thousands as "board and lodging" fees. The kidnappers are demanding money between P10 million to P50 million for the release of the hostages who were seized June 8 in Maimbung town while on their way to secretly interview a senior Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron.(Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Philippine Military Fire Howitzers On Sulu Mountains As Abu Sayyaf Hostage Crisis Drags On

Government soldiers pass by a village in the southern Philippine island of Sulu on Saturday, June 14, 2008. President Gloria Arroyo ordered the police and military to recover a multi-awarded television reporter Ces Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, including a university professor Octavio Dinampo who were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf on June 8 while on their way to interview a senior Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron in Sulu's Maimbung town. One cameraman Angelo Valderama was freed June 12 after negotiators paid "board and lodging fees" to the militants to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya. The gang demanded as much as P50 million ransoms for the hostages. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 15, 2008) – Philippine security forces fired about a dozen rounds of cannons toward the hinterlands of Sulu island as truckloads of soldiers were spotted at dawn Sunday leaving a military base in Jolo town.

It was unknown if the attacks targeted Abu Sayyaf members holding three people hostage or another faction of the militant group whom Philippine authorities say has links to both the al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya, blamed for the spate of terrorism in the southern Philippines.

The firing began at around 3 a.m. and the sound of the loud explosions from Howitzer cannons can be heard from as far as Jolo, Patikul and Indanan towns.

Military officials in the southern Philippines have imposed a news blackout on the crisis, although some of them only speak to selected journalists. And this had forced some reporters to rely on unconfirmed information which is adding up to the confusion in the hostage crisis.

It was unknown if the firing was a prelude to rescue the hostages, but President Gloria Arroyo has ordered police and military forces to get back all the hostages. More soldiers arrived Sunday in Sulu on board the Philippine Navy ship BRP Bacolod City.

Militants are holding a kidnapped ABS-CBN television reporter Ces Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and a university professor Octavio Dinampo who were kidnapped June 8 in Maimbung town while on their way to secretly meet with a senior Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron, who has sent surrender feelers to authorities to lure journalists in Sulu.

Sahiron, a notorious terror man, is included on the most wanted lists both of the Philippines and the United States because of killings and kidnappings of foreigners and Filipinos. He is said to be the top leader of the group holding the hostages.

One cameraman Angelo Valderama was freed June 12 after negotiators headed by Indanan town Mayor Isnaji Alvarez paid several hundred thousands of pesos to the kidnappers.

The Abu Sayyaf selected Isnaji to negotiate for the release of the hostages. The kidnappers were demanding as much as P50 million for the release of all the victims, but ABS-CBN said it will not pay ransom to the gang. Manila also said it will not pay ransom to secure the release of the hostages.

And more militants have reportedly joined the Abu Sayyaf group that is holding the hostages because of ransom. It said the number of the Abu Sayyaf is expected to increase as negotiations for the release of the hostages drag on.

Authorities fear that any ransom paid to the Abu Sayyaf could be used to purchase weapons and fund terrorism in the southern Philippines, where security forces are also battling Muslim and communist separatist rebels the past four decades.
Alvarez admitted to have paid a few hundred thousand pesos to the kidnappers with some of the money coming from Sulu Deputy Gov. Nur Ana Sahidulla. He said the money was for "board and lodging" of Valderama.

Sahidulla is helping Alvarez secure the freedom of the remaining hostages. She appealed to the kidnappers to free Drilon's group. Gov. Sakur Tan, head of the local crisis management committee, and families of the hostages, including the ABS-CBN, have earlier made a similar appeal.

Alvarez said the kidnappers were also negotiating directly with Drilon's family, but he did not give details of the progress of the talks.

He also said the firing of the canons could endanger the lives of the hostages. “This is dangerous. The military is putting the lives of the victims in danger,” he told reporters.

Alvarez said the kidnappers were also alarmed by US spy plane flying over Sulu since Saturday. “They are alarmed by this spy plane which is probably on a reconnaissance mission,” he said.

He said the kidnappers were getting restless over the failure of Drilon’s family to resolve the crisis. He said the captors gave an ultimatum until Tuesday for the victims’ families to secure the release of the hostages.

“We don’t know what they are up to and what they are asking from the family of Drilon, but they gave me an ultimatum until Tuesday to resolve this problem. The kidnappers wanted the family of Drilon to comply with their agreement,” Alvarez said without elaborating further.

Alvarez said he spoke to Drilon after her captors contacted him on his cell phone thrice on Saturday – one at 1.30 p.m. and then it was followed at 5 p.m. and the last at 9 p.m. – and the hostage appealed anew to fast track the negotiations for their release.

“Ces Drilon keeps on telling me to fast track the talks so they can come out safely,” Alvarez said, adding, Drilon’s family must closely coordinate with him in their negotiations. “I need to know what the family of Drilon promised to the kidnappers. All negotiations should pass through me,” he said.

Washington listed the Abu Sayyaf as a foreign terrorist organization and has offered rewards of up to $5 million for the capture of its known leaders. US troops are deployed in Sulu province since 2006 and assisting the Philippine military defeats the Abu Sayyaf. (Mindanao Examiner)

Huge Ransoms Lure Militants To Gang Holding Philippine News Crew, University Professor

Hainatul Dinampo, wife of Mindanao State University Professor Octavio Dinampo, one of three people being held by the Abu Sayyaf group tied to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya gestures as she is being interviewed by television reporters at the Sulu Provincial Capitol on Saturday, June 14, 2008. Abu Sayyaf militants are also holding ABS-CBN award winning reporter Ces Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion since June 8 after they were kidnapped in Sulu's Maimbung town. The kidnappers demanded as much as P50 million ransoms. And below, Hainatul and her daughter, Fatima. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 14, 2008) – More than a dozen militants have reportedly joined the Abu Sayyaf group that is holding a kidnapped Philippine television news crew and a university professor in the southern island of Sulu.

Many of those who joined the kidnappers were lured by huge ransom the Abu Sayyaf is demanding in exchange for the release of a multi-awarded ABS-CBN reporter Ces Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, including their guide, Professor Octavio Dinampo, of the Mindanao State University.

President Gloria Arroyo ordered police and military forces to recover the hostages safely.

They were kidnapped June 8 in Maimbung town while on their way to interview a senior militant leader Radulan Sahiron, who has allegedly sent surrender feelers.
Militants have freed late Thursday television cameraman Angelo Valderama in the village of Sinumaan in Talipao town.

Intelligence reports said many of those who joined the kidnappers were new and old members of the Abu Sayyaf group tied to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya. It said the number of the Abu Sayyaf is expected to increase more as negotiations for the release of the hostages drag on.

Sulu police chief, Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim said they also received reports that the number of gunmen holding Drilon’s group has increased. “We received reports that the number of armed men holding the hostages is increasing,” he told the Mindanao Examiner without further elaborating.

Military and police authorities fear any ransom paid to the Abu Sayyaf could be used to purchase weapons and fund terrorism campaign in the southern Philippines.

The kidnappers were reported to be demanding as much as P50 million, but ABS-CBN said it will not pay ransom to the Abu Sayyaf.

But Indanan town Mayor Isnaji Alvarez, who negotiated for the release of the cameraman, said he paid a few hundred thousand pesos to the kidnappers with some of the money coming from Sulu Deputy Gov. Nur Ana Sahidulla.

Alvarez said the money paid to the Abu Sayyaf was for “board and lodging” and not ransom.

"We are waiting for the kidnappers to call us so we can resume negotiations for the safe release of the hostages. We pray that this crisis will end soon," he said in a separate interview Saturday.

The Abu Sayyaf cut off all communication lines to the negotiators for a still unknown reason. But military sources said the kidnappers were constantly moving from one hideout to another to avoid detection.

But Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao, commander of the regional police force, said the negotiations are continuing.

Sahidulla is helping Alvarez secure the freedom of the remaining hostages. She appealed to the kidnappers on Saturday to free Drilon’s group. “We appeal to you to free the innocent victims. You are not only giving our province and bad name, but the entire country as well,” she said.

Gov. Sakur Tan, head of the local crisis management committee, and families of the hostages, including the ABS-CBN, have earlier made a similar appeal.
Alvarez said the kidnappers were also negotiating directly with Drilon's family, but he did not give details of the progress of the talks.

The kidnappers reportedly demanded ransom between P10 million to P50 million. And that P5 million was allegedly paid to the gang for Valderama's release, other sources said.

Media reports also said that P2 million was paid to the Abu Sayyaf, but Alvarez denied this and at the same time criticized Amilasan Amilbajar, an assistant of outgoing Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza, who was allegedly the source of the news.

Dureza has been named as new Press Secretary and former military chief Hermogenes Esperon will take over as new Peace adviser.

The kidnappers have selected Alvarez to negotiate for the release of the hostages. Alvarez is also one of seven candidates running for the regional governor in the Muslim autonomous region elections in August.

The wife of the kidnapped professor, Hainatul Dinampo, said she was able to speak with her husband on Wednesday and told her to watch over their ten children.

“My husband told me to be strong and take care of our children. I was crying as we speak briefly on the cell phone,” the woman told the Mindanao Examiner after meeting with Tan at the Provincial Capitol in Patikul town where she sought help for the release of the captives.

She said an emissary of Alvarez on Saturday delivered medicines for Dinampo, who is suffering from arthritis. She also appealed to the kidnappers to free all the remaining hostages.

“Please release them all. They are innocent and kind people,” Hainatul said, adding, the governor assured her the government is working for the release of the hostages.

She said the kidnappers were also demanding an unspecified amount of money from her for the freedom of Dinampo. “They are asking money alright, but we are poor,” she said.

Police identified the kidnappers Abu Sayyaf leaders Albader Parad, Gafur Jumdail and Umbra Jumdail, also known as Dr. Abu.

Parad and Jumdail are notorious Abu Sayyaf leaders wanted by Washington and Manila for terrorism and kidnappings-for-ransom. The two are also believed coddling Jemaah Islamiya bomber Dulmatin and Umar Patek, tagged as behind the 2002 deadly bombings in the resort island of Bali which killed more than 200 mostly Australian holidaymakers and in several attacks in Jakarta.

The Abu Sayyaf group was also tagged as behind the kidnapping early this year of Maria Rosalie Lao, 58, a rice trader in Jolo town. It was also behind the kidnappings of 21 people, mostly Asian and European tourists from the Malaysian resort of Sipadan in 2001 and three US citizens and more than dozen Filipinos in the posh Dos Palmas resort in the central Philippine island of Palawan.

Last year, the group kidnapped seven people in Sulu and beheaded them after their families failed to pay up ransom. The US has offered up to $5 million bounty and Manila as much as P10 million rewards for known Abu Sayyaf leaders, including Jumdail, for their capture – dead or alive. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sayyafs Free 1 Hostage, But Hold On To 3 Others In Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 12, 2008) – Abu Sayyaf militants have freed late Thursday one of four people they kidnapped in the southern Filipino island of Sulu, police said.

Police said the kidnappers released television cameraman Angelo Valderama in the village of Sinumaan in Talipao town.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding multi-awarded ABS-CBN reporter Ces Drilon and another cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, including their guide, Professor Octavio Dinampo, of the Mindanao State University.

“Valderama is finally freed. He will undergo medical examination and debriefing by government authorities. We are still waiting for developments on the other hostages,” Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, the Sulu police chief, told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said Valderama was freed to emissaries of Indanan town Mayor Isnaji Alvarez. “Valderama looks okay, Kasim said.

The kidnappers have selected Alvarez, a former Moro National Liberation Front rebel leader, to negotiate for the release of the hostages, the ABS-CBN reported.

Alvarez is also one of seven candidates running for the regional governor in the Muslim autonomous region elections in August.

It was not immediately known whether ransom was paid in exchange for the release of Valderama, but the kidnappers have reportedly demanded as much as P50 million for the hostages.

The kidnappers originally demanded P10 million, but a radio network dzRH in Manila on Thursday said the militants asked P50 million from the victims' families negotiating directly with the Abu Sayyaf.

It said the hostages should have been freed on Wednesday after unnamed negotiators agreed to pay the ransom money, but the Abu Sayyaf did not release Drilon's group after the ABS-CBN issued a statement saying it will not pay ransom to the terrorist group tied to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya.

The radio network, which quoted unnamed sources privy to the negotiations, also reported that the kidnappers have already lowered their demands to P25 million. The reports could not be independently confirmed and police in Sulu said Dinampo had been separated from the group of Drilon.

"We have intelligence reports saying Dinampo had been separated from the other captives for a still unknown reason," Kasim said.

The fate of Dinampo remains unknown. But Kasim said the hostages are being held by Abu Sayyaf leaders Albader Parad and Umbra Jumdail, also known as Dr. Abu, in Sulu's hinterlands.

Police also tagged Gafur Jumdail as among those who kidnapped the four people on June 8 near the village of Kulasi in Maimbung town while on their way to interview a senior Abu Sayyaf terror leader, Radulan Sahiron, who is said to be planning to surrender.

"ABS CBN News journalists Ces Drilon, Jimmy Encarnacion, and Angelo Valderama have been kidnapped for ransom. ABS CBN News is doing everything it can to help the families of its kidnapped journalists through this harrowing ordeal," the television network said in a statement released on Wednesday.

"However, ABS CBN News will abide by its policy not to pay ransom because this would embolden kidnap for ransom groups to abduct other journalists, putting more lives at risk," it added.

Parad and Jumdail are notorious Abu Sayyaf leaders wanted by Washington and Manila for terrorism and kidnappings-for-ransom. The two are also believed coddling Jemaah Islamiya bomber Dulmatin and Umar Patek, tagged as behind the 2002 deadly bombings in Bali which killed more than 200 mostly tourists; and in several attacks in Jakarta.

The Abu Sayyaf group was also tagged as behind the kidnapping early this year of Maria Rosalie Lao, 58, a rice trader in Jolo town. It was also behind the kidnappings in 2001 of 21 people, mostly Asian and European tourists from the Malaysian island-resort of Sipadan.

Last year, the group kidnapped seven people in Sulu and beheaded them after their families failed to pay up ransom.

The US has offered up to $5 million bounty and Manila as much as P10 million rewards for known Abu Sayyaf leaders, including Jumdail, for their capture – dead or alive. (Mindanao Examiner)