| "WE WON'T
STOP OTHER GOVTS FROM PAYING RANSOM" Manila says it will not pay to
free the hostages, but other states can do so to release their nationals if they want
By LUZ BAGUIORO
PHILIPPINES CORRESPONDENT
MANILA -- While the Philippines
itself is sticking to its no-ransom policy, it will not prevent other governments from
paying for the release of their nationals held by Abu Sayyaf gunmen in a southern
Philippines jungle, said Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon.
""If you start paying
ransom officially, as a government policy, you'll have more kidnappings,'' he warned.
""But if they want to
pay ransom, then what can I do? These are foreign governments. We can't impose our stand.
That's a determination that has to be made by themselves because their nationals are
hostages.''
But Finnish Foreign Minister
Erkki Tuomioja said yesterday that Finland, France and Germany would not pay a ransom for
the release of their nationals.
""In some respects,
we hoped the Philippine government had better control of the situation, but now is not the
time nor place to air a motion of no confidence,'' the minister said.
""We must work as
closely as possible with the Philippine government.''
Executive Secretary Ronaldo
Zamora, chief aide to President Joseph Estrada, had earlier warned the various national
leaders against paying ransom to secure the release of their citizens.
""If we reduce the
problem to a sum of money, at some future date they would just resort to new
kidnappings,'' he said.
But despite vehement denials by
government negotiators and Islamic militants, most believed the hostage crisis would be
resolved monetarily.
Under intense international
pressure, Manila is believed to have already begun discussions with Abu Sayyaf on payment
to bring the kidnap crisis to an end, despite worries of encouraging more frequent cases
of similar kidnap-for-money incidents.
""The government is
as much a hostage as the ones held in Jolo,'' Defence Secretary Orlando Mercado said, amid
growing complaints over the lack of progress.
In its official statements, Abu
Sayyaf insists it has only political demands.
But certain leaders of the
rebels told government emissaries they wanted US$1 million (S$1.7 million) for each of the
21 hostages.
An offer was recently made to
free the five women among the hostages for 200 million pesos (S$8 million).
Mr Siazon said last month that
the kidnappers were demanding US$2 million for the release of ailing German tourist Renate
Wallert, who is suffering from hypertension.
He also revealed the government
was seeking a ""package deal'' for all the captives.
Although chief government
negotiator Roberto Aventajado denied Mr Siazon's revelations, remarks by other officials
confirm suspicions the hostage crisis is just all about money.
""This is a simple
kidnap-for-ransom case,'' Philippine National Police chief Panfilo Lacson said.
""These political
demands are just a facade. Actually, the bottom line is dollars,'' he said earlier this
month.
Indeed, money was the key to
ending previous Abu Sayyaf kidnappings.
In all cases, ransom was paid
by relatives or ""kindhearted civilians''.
But payment was euphemistically
described as reimbursement for the ""board and lodging'' expenses of the
hostages while in captivity.
Aware of this, other
governments have reportedly explored the option of redeeming their nationals through
unofficial channels.
Press reports claimed
Malaysian-backed negotiators had offered US$300,000 for each of the nine Malaysian
hostages.
On Sunday, a German newspaper
reported that Berlin was preparing aid equivalent to a ransom in the form of technical
support for infrastructure projects in Jolo.
German officials did not
confirm the report.
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