16 June 2000 - The Manila Times

By Mirasol Ng-Gadil and Joel San Juan

ANTICIPATING a possible military rescue mission for the 19 foreign and two Filipino hostages, the Abu Sayyaf has fortified its firepower with firearms and war materiel from Vietnam.

Malacañang announced the resumption today of hostage release talks in Sulu, saying chief government negotiator Robert Aventajado would still lead negotiations.

Despite death threats against Aventajado, President Estrada decided to maintain him as chief negotiator. But a ranking Palace source said the President asked Aventajado to “be quiet,” keep a low profile, and stay away from journalists.

The source said the Chief Executive gave his flagship adviser instructions on “new approaches to bargaining,” with the aim of convincing rebels to alter their demands. He did not elaborate on the new government tack.

Executive Secretary confirmed Aventajado would still head release talks, as well as the presidential directive to “keep quiet.”

In a joint press conference yesterday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon and Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar denied that the supposed ransom demanded by the terrorists for their 21 mostly foreign hostages was seriously considered.

They also brushed aside reports that Kuala Lumpur sent its own negotiators to Jolo, Sulu.  “We do not intend to make such a move,” the Malaysian official said.

Military officials said the arms cache, which includes 20 pieces of 57-mm recoilless rifles (bazookas), and 10 pieces of 81-mm mortars, landed in a remote Davao City village and was transported to Sulu in the first week of June.

“Street sweeper” guns and assorted rifles and ammunition, and explosives also formed part of the P7.6-million shipment.

The military report did not say who was responsible for facilitating the arms purchase and landing. Camp Aguinaldo officials said they received the intelligence warning around 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Armed Forces (AFP) officers said recoilless rifles can stop light armored fighting vehicles and are effective anti-infantry weapons, while mortars can serve both offensive and defensive positions.

They said the Abu Sayyaf closed the arms deal last month, after government troops were ordered to pull back from the cordon they had set up around the extremist rebels’ hideout in Sulu.

The Abu Sayyaf initially demanded the establishment of an independent Islamic state, a Sabah Commission to probe alleged abuses of Filipino migrants in the Malaysian territory, and restriction of commercial fishing activities in the Sulu Sea.

Last week, however, the rebels demanded the replacement of Aventajado by Zamora and the return of Sabah to the Sultanate of Sulu.

Malacañang said it could only grant concessions on the fishing issue. It has turned all other Abu Sayyaf demands.
with a report from Manny B. Marinay

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