Freedom seen for Ces Drilon and company

June 17, 2008

Freedom awaits the hostages.

Philippine National Police Director Gen. Avelino Razon Jr. yesterday informed the media that he expects, within 24 hours or less, the safe release of ABS-CBN broadcaster Ces Oreña-Drilon, her cameraman Jun Encarnacion and Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo.

The information given to the media came soon after the go-between, son of Indanan Mayor Isnaji Alvarez, told the media yesterday, shortly before the 2 p.m. deadline had expired, that not only will the hostages not be beheaded, as threatened earlier by their Islamic captors, but that the negotiations will continue “indefinitely.”

Reporters in the area said their sources expected “developments” such as the release of Drilon and her group within hours, possibly late last night.

These two pieces of information from Razon and Haider “Jun” Alvarez, the mayor’s son, gave rise to speculation that the P15 million ransom had been paid to the Abu Sayyaf group that kidnapped Drilon and company, even if officially, the word is out that ransom had not been paid.

It is usual practice of these type of kidnappers to release the hostages after ransom payment is made, after which the hostages start their march to freedom alone and are met by negotiators and government forces who then whisk them away to safe grounds for a debriefing, and flown back to Manila, or wherever they are situated.

Haider was quoted as saying that the kidnappers, while reviving negotiations “indefinitely” did not mention ransom at all, which statement many found incredible.

Earlier, the kidnappers had threatened to behead Drilon,her colleague and the professor at noon but the negotiator claimed he had convinced them to extend the deadline, initially to 2:00 pm.

Negotiators later said the kidnappers had dropped the deadline and no talk of ransom was made.

“We are still talking with the kidnappers and there is no time frame,” said Isnaji Alvarez, who is negotiating with the militants in the island of Jolo.

His son, Haider, an emissary for his father, said he spoke by telephone with the Abu Sayyaf, the gang of Muslim militants holding Drilon.

“We agreed that they should not hurt the hostages while the negotiations are going on,” he said. “They have dropped the set deadline so we can reopen the negotiations.”

Drilon, her cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama, and university professor Octavio Dinampo, were heading to a secret meeting in Jolo with a senior Abu Sayyaf leader when they were seized on June 8.

The abductors freed Valderama on June 12 after a claimed ransom of P100,000 was paid. The official word was that it was not a ransom, but fees for his “board and lodging.

The Abu Sayyaf gunmen are believed to have demanded a ransom thought to be about 15 million from Drilon’s family.

Isnaji Alvarez said Drilon had confirmed that separate talks were going on between her family and the militants.

“I told her that it was a big mistake. Why did you let the kidnappers contact your family?” the mayor said.

But he quoted Drilon as saying she had to agree because “they are pointing guns at me and whatever amount of money they ask, I just say ‘yes.”

In the past, the Abu Sayyaf has beheaded its captives when ransom was not delivered in time.

Alvarez said he spoke to Drilon earlier on Tuesday and that she was “okay,” and was asking people to pray for her.

Negotiators claimed to have offered the kidnappers development projects in their communities, rather than the ransom, which would be tough to deliver, Haider Alvarez said.

President Arroyo has ordered police and troops to recover the hostages alive, and military reinforcements arrived in the area on Sunday.

PNP chief Razon said the military and police had contingency plans for the hostages, but they would let the negotiators take the lead.

“Ground troops are in place, including air and naval assets,” Razon said.

The police and military operatives are now on standby and preparing for any contingency in relation to the abduction of ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Ces Drilon, and two others.

Razon arrived in Zamboanga City yesterday and met with the Regional Police Director, Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao, Police Regional Office Director Jaime Caringal and military officials based in the province to discuss preparations.

Razon immediately met with Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga and Naval Forces Mindanao Admiral Emilio Marayag.

A situation briefing by the IG and RD, PRO ARMM was given and the CPNP gave his guidance for a contingency plan in any situation that may arise.

The combined police and AFP units were tasked to support the efforts of the Provincial Peace and Order Council of the government and the efforts of the local officials are on standby ready for immediate deployment as negotiators on Tuesday pursue to convince the abductors for the release of Drilon, and her companions.

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Nicanor Bartolome said the ground troops are in place, including air and naval assets.

Bartolome said the military and police forces involved in the “contingency plan” laid out by Razon.

Part of the contingency plan is the quick medical response once Drilon, her cameraman and Dinampo are released by their abductors. He added the three will be airlifted and reunited with their waiting families.

Meanwhile, Bartolome said he was not certain if the police and military forces were also prepared to assault the lairs of the armed groups responsible for the abduction of Drilon and her companions.

Bartolome added that the contingency plan is flexible and dependent on the situation that may arise.

The police spokesman clarified that the efforts of the negotiating team led by Sulu Vice-Governor Lady Ann Sahidula is “different” from the police and the military’s.

But Malacañang still played coy yesterday, expressing doubts on the extension set by the kidnappers.

The Palace was reacting to the confirmation of Haider Isnaji that the Abu Sayyaf Group’ members who abducted Drilon and company had extended indefinitely their ultimatum.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said the authorities must not be swayed by the ultimatum’ extension but advised the negotiators to take advantage of the situation to peacefully end the crisis.

The Palace, however, emphasized that it is glad that the hostages have not been harmed.

“Let us not be lulled by the so-called “extension” announced by the kidnappers. While we join friends and relatives of Ces Drilon and her team in expressing relief that nothing untoward happened noon today past the deadline, we encourage the negotiators and all those working on the ground to take advantage of this and pursue a peaceful end to this impasse,” Dureza said in a text message.

In a separate radio interview, Dureza confirmed that both the military and the police are ready to take other available options to save the victims.

Dureza, however, failed to categorically say if he was referring to military offensives as there were already reports of troop movements in Sulu yesterday.

“I got updates on what is happening on the ground. There are efforts being done by those who are directly handling the so-called negotiations. The PNP and the Armed Forces are also getting ready for other options available,” he said.

In another interview in Malacañang, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process retired Gen. Hermogenes Esperon advised authorities to be careful in their decisions so the safety of the hostages will not be compromised.

“If you move against these abductors they could commit some false moves that could lead to the harming of the hostages. So, we must be careful. We should leave it to local officials on the ground,” Esperon said.

Drilon and her group were abducted on June 8 in Sulu, for a reported exclusive interview with Abu Sayyaf chief Radullon Sahiron. With Gina Peralta-Elorde, Sherwin C. Olaes and AFP

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