21 July 2000 - ABS-CBN

ZAMBOANGA CITY, (ABS-CBN) - An apparent competition to secure the most speedy release of the Jolo hostages, has set off a feud between the government's chief negotiator Robert Aventajado and former presidential adviser on Mindanao affairs Lee Peng Wee.

Unable to hide his frustrations over the aborted release of the seven Malaysians in the original group of 21 hostages, Aventajado accused Wee of complicating the process when the latter decided to use other emissaries in the talks despite an earlier agreement with Commander Robot to use only the services of lawyers Alam and Hadji Mami.

"Malinaw yung bilin sa akin ni Commander Robot. na ang gusto niyang emissaries ay si Attorney Alam at Hadji Mami...si Lee Peng Wee iba yung ginagamit na emissary eh. Sabi ko baka hindi o-obra 'yan, baka hindi pumayag si Commander Robot," an obviously annoyed Aventajado said in an interview with ABS-CBN.

(Commander Robot made it clear that he only wants to deal with Attorney Alam and Hadji Mami. But Lee Peng Wee is using other emissaries. I said maybe it will not work, maybe Commander Robot will not agree.)

Earlier reports said that Wee has been talking to other Malaysian officials. Wee reportedly insisted that his emissaries are more effective compared to Alam and Mami.

But the chief negotiator is wondering why Wee had to change their arrangements when they had already successfully negotiated the release of two Malaysians.

Wee has been credited for the release of the two Malaysians as well as the seven Filipinos held by the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan.

Sintos' release
Meanwhile, the Abu Sayyaf released a Filipino teenage hostage being held along with two school teachers and several other Filipino ang foreign hostages in Sulu on Thursday.

Sulu vice governor Munib Estino said Richard Sintos, the 13-year-old son of a Marine soldier killed by the Abu Sayyaf in an encounter in Basilan, was taken by helicopter from Jolo island to this city.

Wire reports said chief government negotiator Robert Aventajado is also expecting the immediate release of two other Filipino hostages, school teachers Teresita Academia and Erlinda Manuel, who remain in the hands of the rebels.

Sintos was abducted at the height of the hostage crisis in Basilan wherein 50 teachers and students were seized by the rebel group from two schools last March. The other hostages were either killed, released by their abductors or rescued by government troops.

Among the dead was Claretian priest Fr. Ruel Gallardo who was tortured by the rebels before he was killed.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Sintos expressed his desire to convert to Islam and stay with his captors in Patikul, Sulu.

He also said that he harbors no anger for his captors who are also his father's killers.

"Marami na akong kaibigan dito," he said adding "parang ayoko silang iwanan." [I have many friends here. I'm not sure I want to leave them.]

Sintos had allegedly been extensively indoctrinated by the Abu Sayyaf while in captivity.

Authorities said it is believed the boy might be suffering from a phenomenon called "Stockholm Syndrome," the term used for the emotional bonding that occurs between captors and captives in oppressive situations.

(With a report from Erwin Tulfo the Associated Press)

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