SULU NEGOTIATOR CONFIRMS ABDUCTION OF 3 FRENCH REPORTERS
JOLO, SULU (ABS-CBN) - Sulu
governor Abdusakur Tan confirmed this Monday the abduction of three French journalists by
the extremist Abu Sayyaf group last Sunday.
In an interview with ABS-CBN NewsOnline, Tan said the
journalists, one female and two males from France-2 TV are now being detained at the Abu
Sayyaf lair in the hinterlands of Jolo. They were identified as Nayre Burgo, Jean Lejaree,
and Roland Nabela.
"Oo. Kumpirmado na yon. Nandoon na sila sa Kampo ng
Abu Sayyaf [Yes that is already confirmed. They (French journalists) are already in
the Abu Sayyaf camp.]," Tan said.
He added the Abu Sayyaf group has yet to demand a ransom for
the freedom of their new captives.
Initial reports said the journalists left for the rebel
hideout early Sunday and did not return since. Their abduction brings the total number of
hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf to 37.
Last April 23, the group kidnapped 21 mostly foreign hostages
from a Sipadan Island resort in Malaysia.
Recently, the Abu Sayyaf abducted a German journalist
identified as Andreas Lorenz of the Der Spiegel magazine after he was promised an
interview with the group's leaders and hostages.
Previously, he was among a group of foreign journalists who
were briefly detained by the Abu Sayyaf and released after paying a ransom of $25,000.
Earlier the government warned mediamen, particularly foreign
journalists from going to the Abu Sayyaf camp as they may compound the hostage crisis.
However, it admitted that it cannot prevent persistent journalists from trekking to the
Abu Sayyaf camp.
Aside from Lorenz, the Abu Sayaf has also abducted 13
evangelists from the Jesus Miracle Crusade headed by Wilde Almeda. The group gained entry
to the Abu Sayyaf camp when it paid the bandits $3,000 and 35 sacks of rice to be allowed
to pray over the 20 foreign hostages.
However, they were prevented by the bandits from leaving the
camp and were eventually turned into hostages.
Earlier reports said the Abu Sayyaf demanded P7 million as an
"exit fee" for Almeda's group.
Release
Meanwhile, chief government negotiator Robert Aventajado
confirmed on Monday Lorenz would likely be released in the next few days.
However, Aventajado belied reports that the government will
pay a ransom for his release.
"Based doon sa report ni Gov Tan baka in two days daw
mare-release na yung German journalist na yan. Sabi ni Gov. Tan wala naman daw ransom na
pinaguusapan," he said in an interview over dzMM radio.
[Based on Gov. Tan's report, the German journalist may be
released in the next two days. Gov. Tan said their release does not involve a ransom
demand.]
No ransom
Aventajao meantime said the government will strictly implement
its no-ransom policy after German hostage Werner Wallert appealed for the government to
grant the P40 million ransom demand by the Abu Sayyaf for their freedom.
"Naiintindihan naman namin yung kalagayan nila don.
Siguro nga talagang nahihirapan sila doon pero alam din nila na hindi policy ng pamahalaan
natin na magbayad ng ransom sa ganitong sitwasyon," he said.
[I understand their situation. Maybe they are really going
through a rough time. But I hope they will understand that it is not a policy of our
government to pay ransom.]
As mush as we want to help them, to release them as soon as
possible, kung ganitong pamamaraan hindi tayo makakagalaw. So ang negotiating panel ay
gumagawa ng ibang pamamaraan," Aventajado said.
[It will not happen through this method. So the negotiating
panel is doing everything but not through this manner.]
So far, government negotiators have prioritized the release of
Renate Wallert as her health continues to deteriorate while in captivity. She is
reportedly suffering from hypertension and severe backache.
by Amabelle Layug
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