| ABU TO
FREE A FEW MORE HOSTAGES By
Mirasol Ng-Gadil
Chief
government hostage negotiator Robert Aventajado expressed optimism yesterday that Abu
Sayyaf rebels in Patikul, Sulu would release three more Malaysian hostages within the next
few days.
This would be
followed, he added, by the release of three female captives — a Filipina, a Lebanese
and a South African.
Aventajado,
President Estrada’s flagship adviser, also said his team would secure the freedom of
all 14 remaining hostages from Sipadan Island, even without the assistance of Le Peng Wee.
In Kuala Lumpur,
the English-language daily The Sun said the Abu Sayyaf demanded $3 million in ransom for
the release of seven Malaysians.
The newspaper said
only four were freed on Friday because of disagreements among the Abu Sayyaf rebel leaders
over how to divide up the ransom.
Without
identifying sources, the newspaper said bandits released the four after Le handed over
cash stuffed in five cardboard boxes.
The news report
contradicted Philippine officials’ claim that no ransom would be paid to the
extremist group.
Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohammad reiterated that Malaysia had not paid any ransom, the national news
agency Bernama reported.
However, Mahathir
did not discount the possibility that other individuals may have handed over money without
the government’s knowledge.
“We have no
power to stop others if they want to pay. That is their problem. I don’t know whether
others have paid,” Mahathir was quoted as saying. He added that he did not know why
the Malaysian hostages were the first to be released.
He also indicated
that Malaysia wanted to create jobs in the southern Philippines by opening oil palm
plantations, but denied that such plans were in exchange for the release of the hostages.
Conflict
Jubilation over
the latest batch freed hostages was marred by reported infighting among negotiators.
Le, a rich Chinese
friend of Mr. Estrada, has reportedly signaled his intention to bow out from talks upon
the release of three more Malaysian captives.
The former adviser
for Mindanao and Aventajado have tangled over technicalities in negotiations and the
turnover of hostages.
Malacañang
officials, who requested anonymity, yesterday acknowledged Le is sulking after losing out
to Aventajado in the release of four Malaysians Friday.
Le had insisted on
bringing the Malaysians directly to Sabah. Malacañang, however, backed Aventajado in
observing proper procedures.
The chief
negotiator has acknowledged Le’s invaluable help in the release talks.
Mindanao sources
have also cited Le, an old-time investor, as an indispensable cog in the negotiations.
“That’s
his (Le’s) decision if he wants out. He joined the group on his own decision and I
welcomed his help. But if he wants to withdraw, that’s up to him,” Aventajado
said.
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