| Backdoor talks for
Malaysia hostages resume By
Faber Concepcion
ZAMBOANGA CITY—No
Abu Sayyaf commander gave himself up to military authorities yesterday, as emissaries
continued to meet with Armed Forces officers here over the rebels’ terms of
surrender.
This, as
Southern Command sources disclosed that “backdoor” negotiations have resumed for
the release of three Malaysian hostages held by the group of Abu Sabaya, the extremist
guerrilla fighter who also holds American Jeffrey Craig Edward Schilling.
In Maguindanao,
kidnappers freed a grocery store owner in a marshland before dawn but managed to escape
pursuing soldiers.
Michael Ang, 28,
was handed over by his abductors to a negotiator in Kabuntalan town, said Marine Maj.
Elmer Estilles, a spokesman of a government anti-organized crime commission.
Ang, his feet
muddy and full of bruises, later was brought by officials to a tearful reunion with his
family in Cotabato City, where he was abducted at gunpoint last Sept. 28 while opening his
store.
The kidnappers had
demanded P10 million ($217,300) for Ang’s release.
Long haul
Despite the
surrender feelers conveyed to Mayor Hadji Abbas Estino, of Panglima Estino municipality in
Jolo island, and Sulu Vice Gov. Munib Estino, the AFP acknowledged the clearing of Jolo
could take up the rest of the year.
There was no word
on the identities of the Abu Sayyaf commanders who want to surrender.
At a briefing in
Andrew Air Base, Task Force Trident Commander, Gen. Narcisco Abaya, said he needs another
two or three weeks to flush out Abu Sayyaf guerrillas from their jungle lairs.
But AFP chief of
staff, Gen. Angelo Reyes, said the Sulu crisis could drag on until Dec. 31.
“It will be
over only when all the hostages are freed and the rebels, especially their leaders, either
surrender, or are captured or exterminated,” Reyes stressed.
Reyes arrived here
with Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan. AFP officers said his trip had been hurriedly scheduled
after Abaya and 1st Marine Brigade chief, Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio, said some Abu
Sayyaf leaders were scheduled to surrender yesterday.
Malaysian
captives
Several Malaysians
seen during negotiations for the freedom of hostages seized from Sipadan island, Sabah,
last April 23 are now in Zamboanga.
However, none of
the Southeast Asian nation’s emissaries would confirm or deny the start of backdoor
talks for the release of Pasor Dove Resort manager Mohammad Nur Soliman, contractor Kenwi
Wee Chong and dive master Joseph Onkinak.
The three were
taken last Sept. 11 to Pandanan island, another diving spot in the Sabah area, on the same
day rebels released the last foreign captive from Sipadan.
Only one Sipadan
hostage remains with the rebels and there has been no word on the fate of Filipino diver
Roland Ullah since the start of the military assault.
Southern Command
chief, Lt. Gen. Diomedio Villanueva, denied any new negotiations.
But another senior
AFP officer here said Malaysians have again approached “old emissaries” to
reopen talks with the rebels.
The new efforts,
however, are hampered by communications problems caused by the tight military cordon in
Jolo.
“But there
are still persons willing to mediate, except that coordination is more difficult this
time,” the source said.
Since the start of
military operations in Jolo on Sept. 16, troops have clashed 51 times with the rebels,
killing 121 Abu Sayyaf members, including two middle-grade commanders.
The military
reportedly suffered 14 casualties and six injuries in the siege that enters its 23rd day.
The AFP said it
has captured 108 high-powered rebel weapons and ammunition, as well as explosives.
with AP
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