| Malaysian hostages up for bidding? ZAMBOANGA CITY, (ABS-CBN) - Going
once, going twice, sold!
In a bizarre turn of events, the Abu Sayyaf faction holding
the three new Malaysian hostages is reportedly holding a "bidding" to determine
who among the other rebel splinter groups will gain custody of the new captives.
The three hostages were kidnapped last Sunday by four heavily
armed Tausug-speaking gunmen from the Pandanan Semporna Island Resort. They were
identified as Mohamad Noor Sulaiman, the resort's manager; Joseph Jongkinoh, a divemaster;
and Ah Kai, a contractor.
Reports claim the Malaysians' abductors led by Commander Iting
Angga are willing to give up the hostages for a price and are reportedly negotiating with
other Abu Sayyaf leaders, Galib Andang alias Commander Robot and Khadaffy Janjalani.
Armed Forces Civil Relations Office chief Col. Jaime Canatoy
said Commander Angga seems to favor Janjalani's group after the latter asked for a smaller
percentage compared to the amount demanded by Andang and his co-leader Mujib Susukan.
Canatoy added that there is a brewing leadership struggle
between the rebel factions which may lead to more infighting within the Abu Sayyaf
hierarchy.
Canatoy earlier revealed the the Patikul-based Abu Sayyaf has
been quarrelling over ideology, while those in Talipao have been at odds over the
distribution of ransom money.
He said it is possible the bandits may eventually kill each
other over the amount of wealth they have amassed, leading to the group's
self-destruction.
Abu Sabaya, the spokesperson of the Abu Sayyaf faction holding
American Jeffrey Schilling in Patikul, Jolo, subsequently threatened to behead Canatoy if
he does not keep his mouth shut.
Atrocities between the Abu Sayyaf factions erupted last
Saturday during the release of four European hostages being held by Andang and Susukan.
Reports from the ABS-CBN news team in the area said the two
factions clashed over who among the foreign hostages would be released. A group under
Susukan and Andang and the other faction led by Abu Sabar and a certain Commander Randy
figured in the shootout.
Abu Sabar's group reportedly wanted the two French journalists
they are holding to be freed along with the Sipadan hostages. Commander Robot allegedly
insisted on releasing only four captives namely, Finns Risto Vahannen and Seppo Fraenti,
German Marc Wallert, and Frenchman Stephane Loisy.
Infighting within the Abu Sayyaf's ranks also put on hold the
scheduled release of two French journalists Roland Madura and Jean Le Garrec who were left
behind in the rebel lair.
Custody over the three Malaysians has been in contention even
in the beginning of their abduction.
The AFP earlier said the Malaysians were abducted by a group
led by a certain Landasan Omar, but was later turned over to one Commander Piping.
Commander Piping on the other hand, turned the three hostages
over to Commander Angga who has been identified by intelligence sources as the first
cousin of Susukan.
(with a report from Doris Bigornia)
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