Biazon wants background investigation of Schilling

PASAY CITY (ABS-CBN) -- Senator Rodolfo G. Biazon, Chairman of the Senate Committee On National Defense and Security recommended on Tuesday a thorough background investigation of Jeffrey Craig Schilling and his wife Ivy Osana to determine whether the American should be considered as a hostage or a co-conspirator of the Abu Sayyaf.

Biazon said the government's options vis-a-vis the Abu Sayyaf will depend on the outcome of the investigation as to the true nature of Schilling's presence in the Abu Sayyaf's lair.

" It is turning out that Schilling was not abducted but went into the Abu Sayyaf's lair willingly and for a conspirational purpose," he said.

According to Biazon, "Schilling is being projected by the Abu Sayyaf as a replacement hostage to the Europeans in the event that the Abu Sayyaf will be forced to release the Europeans after the ransom payment has been completed.

The senator stressed, "the value of Schilling to the Abu Sayyaf is therefore to project Schilling as a hostage, even if he is a co-conspirator. The reported intended role of Schilling was to buy sophisticated equipment, arms and ammunition for the Abu Sayyaf. If all these are confirmed, the Schilling abduction should be devalued and negotiations for his release should be terminated."

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