17 July 2000 - ABS-CBN

ZAMBOANGA CITY, (ABS-CBN) - A high ranking Sulu official on Sunday admitted that a certain amount of money was given to the Abu Sayyaf for the release of the two Malaysian hostages in Jolo, Sulu.

In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN reporter Erwin Tulfo, Sulu vice governor Espino Munib said the Abu Sayyaf received a certain amount of money somehow, though he could not say how much was involved.

"Based on experience mahirap paniwalaang walang binigay na pera. Meron talagang ibinigay na pera," Munib said.

["... it's hard to believe that there was no ransom payment. There really was money involved in the hostages' freedom. "]

"Iyun ang hindi ko masabi... kung magkaano. Baka sabihin nila hihingi ako ng porsieynto," he added.

["I cannot say how much was given to the Abu Sayyaf. They might think I'm interested to get a portion."]

Malaysian national Sulkur Bin Hashim was the first of the Sipadan hostages released by the Abu Sayyaf group last June 24. The government announced then that there was no money involved in freeing Hashim.

On Friday, another Malaysian, Abdul Juwan Bin Sulawat was freed by the extremist group. Again, the negotiators denied handing any amount to the Abu Sayyaf.

On Sulawat's release, Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan said Friday that he knew "nothing" of any ransom payment to secure the hostage's freedom,

The freedom gained by another Malaysian hostage has once again fueled speculation that their government is involved in separate talks with the Abu Sayyaf.

Last month, reports were rife that the Malaysian government had organized its own team of negotiators and started talks with the hostage-takers.

Police sources initially said the Malaysian government deployed 15 emissaries and established contact with the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.

The vice governor also disclosed that there is an ongoing rift between the group of Galib Andang alias Commander Robot, and Mudjib Susukan alias commander Mujib, regarding the division of the said money.

Andang and Mudjib are presently holding the Sipadan hostages including Wilde Almeda and 12 of his followers, and other three French journalists.

European next on freedom list
Earlier, the government's chief negotiator said the extremist Abu Sayyaf are likely to release at least one European in the next few days.

"I can see that we are within striking distance'' of winning the release of at least one European hostage, an optimistic Robert Aventajado, chief government negotiator for the Sipadan hostage crisis, said Sunday.

The Abu Sayyaf rebels are also expected to free all seven remaining Malaysian hostages later this week, according to Malaysians working for their release.

A newly appointed go-between met Friday with Commander Robot and returned with a revised set of demands, Aventajado said.

The go-between, a relative of Andang's, has gone back to the Abu Sayyaf camp in Jolo with a partial response from the government, Aventajado said.

"We are sorting out the demands as to which are doable and which are not,'' Aventajado said. "We are addressing the root cause of the problem, which is poverty.''

Revised demands
The revised demands include requests for government assistance for various livelihood projects on Jolo, including an orange plantation that would be developed partly on land owned by Andang and would be turned into a cooperative for local farmers, he said.

Another government negotiator said Andang has dropped a previous demand for the creation of an independent nation for the Philippines' Muslim minority but is continuing to demand dollars 1 million for the release of each European hostage.

Muslim extremists have kidnapped several other groups since the April hostage-taking.

The remaining hostages consist of five French, four Germans, two Finns, two South Africans, a Lebanese, seven Malaysians and 18 Filipinos. All but a German journalist are believed to be held by the Abu Sayyaf, a band of Muslim extremists accused of a wide range of kidnappings and attacks on Christians in the past.

Sulawat
Sulawat, a Malaysian policeman, was in charge of security at the Sipadan diving resort where he and 20 others were forcibly taken last April 23.

He was released after Malaysian negotiators gave the Abu Sayyaf 50 sacks of rice and an undisclosed amount of money for "board and lodging'' in lieu of a ransom, the Malaysians said in an Associated Press report.

The Malaysian government also promised to provide development assistance through the Philippine government for Jolo, at the southern tip of the Philippines.

Philippine negotiators have had less success in winning the release of the non-Malaysian hostages.

No use of force
The foreign ministers of Finland, France and Germany visited the Philippines on Thursday to urge President Joseph Estrada's government to free the hostages quickly and without use of force.

Aventajado suspended formal negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf more than a month ago after the rebels began escalating their demands. He and Andang agreed Thursday to resume contacts through the go-between.

After abducting the original group of 21 hostages from Malaysia, the Abu Sayyaf seized 13 Filipino Christian evangelists who traveled to their camp on July 1 and three French journalists who went there last Sunday to interview the original hostages.

They are also holding three Filipinos kidnapped from nearby Basilan island.

Town fiesta
Meanwhile, the Jolo town fiesta was celebrated Sunday without any untoward incident.

However, tension filled the air as over a hundred troopers backed several tanks were deployed around the church and on the position route.

Authorities said they just want to make sure that they are prepared for any eventuality.

(With reports from the Associated Press and Erwin Tulfo)

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