June 4, 2000, The Philippine Star, No ransom for Sayyaf hostages - Aventajado,

June 4, 2000, The Philippine Star, No ransom for Sayyaf hostages - Aventajado,

Presidential Adviser Robert Aventajado reiterated yesterday the government's no-ransom policy in dealing with kidnappers. 

"We will not pay any ransom to end this case, because we all know that once we pay ransom, this (kidnapping) will occur again," Aventajado said amid reports that the Abu Sayyaf wants $1 million for each of its 21 mostly foreign hostages in Sulu. 

Aventajado has consistently denied that the Abu Sayyaf is demanding ransom for the hostages. Other government officials, however, have reported the ransom demand. 

The international hostage crisis in Sulu enters its seventh week tomorrow with no solution in sight. The terrorists have received reinforcements from their comrades in nearby Basilan in anticipation of military operations to rescue the hostages. 

Police and military authorities in Western Mindanao are also verifying reports that Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf gunmen have turned over their eight remaining Filipino hostages, six of them children, to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). 

Aventajado, designated by President Estrada as chief government negotiator in dealing with the Abu Sayyaf, appealed for understanding on why the negotiations were dragging on, saying they were doing everything possible to secure the release of the 21 hostages. 

Governments of the 19 foreign hostages have complained of the slow pace of negotiations, with Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi even urging for a change in strategy. 

Aventajado clarified, however, that he could not reveal every detail of the negotiations for security reasons. 

"I wish to tell them that unfortunately, we cannot divulge to the public all that we are doing because in the process of negotiations, you are like playing poker," Aventajado said in a radio interview. 

"You cannot lay down all your cards for all to see," he said. 

The victims were seized last April 23 by Abu Sayyaf gunmen in the Malaysian resort island of Sipadan in Sabah near Borneo. They were immediately taken by boat to Sulu where they have been held in assorted rebel lairs in the jungles of the island. 

The hostages consist of nine Malaysians, three Germans, two French nationals, two Finns, two South Africans, two Filipinos and one Lebanese. 

Despite several trips to Sulu, Aventajado and his team have met with the kidnappers only once, during which they were allowed to visit the hostages. However, there have been regular contacts through emissaries. 

The negotiations stalled anew over the past week as the kidnappers reportedly dropped their political demands in favor of a $1-million ransom for each of the hostages. 

Aventajado expressed optimism the negotiations will resume on Wednesday. 

He also assured the hostages that the construction of new huts to house them did not necessarily mean they will have to stay longer in captivity, but merely to protect them from the elements. 

While denying reports about the ransom demand, Aventajado said the government would consider other proposals by the kidnappers, notably a ban on poaching in Philippine territorial waters by foreigners. 

He said he was to meet last yesterday with officials from the Navy, the Coast Guard and the fisheries bureau to discuss implementation of an existing law banning commercial fishing within 15 kilometers from the shoreline. 

The Abu Sayyaf was also pressing for an independent Muslim state in Mindanao, but the President has repeatedly said the issue is non-negotiable. 

Meanwhile, reports reaching Zamboanga City cited Abu Sayyaf landings in Sulu from nearby Basilan. Police intelligence sources said some 100 Abu Sayyaf members have arrived in Jolo to reinforce the unit headed by Sahiron Radullan which is keeping the 21 hostages. 

Some of the captives told journalists they have also noticed new faces among their captors. Sulu police director Superintendent Candido Casimiro said it was likely that the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas in Basilan have slipped to Jolo unnoticed by government forces that have set up a blockade on Basilan. 

A government emissary from Sumisip town in Basilan confirmed that the eight hostages, remnants of over 50 people seized by the Abu Sayyaf from their schools last March, have been turned over to MILF leader Querino Sakandal. The source said the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers decided on the handover to ease their escape from pursuing soldiers. 

Malaysia, meanwhile, defended its move to deport thousands of illegal Filipino immigrants in Sabah from charges that it was in retaliation to the kidnapping of nine Malaysians as well as 11 Westerners and two Filipinos by the Abu Sayyaf. 

"The state government will continue the operation against illegal immigrants involved in criminal activities," said Tham Nyip Shen, deputy chief minister of Sabah. "We are not obliged to stop the operation as we have a duty to ensure peace and security in our state," he stressed. 

Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Jose Brillantes has claimed the crackdown on illegal Filipino immigrants could complicate Philippine government efforts to secure the release of the 21 hostages. 

Brillantes said the Abu Sayyaf might misconstrue the purge as a retaliation to the kidnapping. - Marichu Villanueva, Roel Pareño, Rey Arquiza, AFP and AP Reports