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August 19, 2000, The Philippine Star, Abu Sayyaf rebels free three remaining Malaysian captives,

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August 19, 2000, The Philippine Star, Abu Sayyaf rebels free three remaining Malaysian captives,

 

Abu Sayyaf bandits set free yesterday three Malaysian hostages as negotiations continued to secure the release of the remaining Western and Filipino captives being held for nearly four months in the the hinterlands of Sulu.

 

Chief government negotiator Roberto Aventajado, briefing European diplomats in Manila, said the remaining 28 hostages would likely be freed starting at noon today. The Associated Press reported that the three Malaysians, part of an original group of 21 people seized by Abu Sayyaf gunmen from the famous Malaysian dive resort island of Sipadan in Sabah on April 23, would be taken by boat from the capital town of Jolo to nearby Zamboanga City where they will be presented to Aventajado.

 

Negotiators for the Malaysians said an agreement was reached for an additional ransom. They did not specify the amount and the terms of the agreement. Aventajado said he had received information from Zamboanga City-based Filipino-Chinese trader De Peng Wee saying the three Malaysians have been freed and on their way to Zamboanga City.

 

An estimated $5.5 million was believed paid for the previous release of six Malaysians and an ailing German woman. A source close to Wee said "a little amount of ransom was paid" for the three Malaysians.

 

Wee was sacked earlier as a member of the government negotiating panel, but was put back in harness by Aventajado to assist in the release of the Malaysians. Aventajado was to fly to Zamboanga City late yesterday to receive the three Malaysians, identified as dive instructor Fong Yin Ken, cook Kua Yu Loong and wildlife ranger Basilius Jim.

 

"Our emissary has informed us that he has the three Malaysians and that they are on their way to Zamboanga City by boat," Wee said after receiving a satellite phone call from his emissary, Jamil Hassan.

 

Wee added that Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad has requested help to secure the release of the Malaysians. "We are glad it’s finally over." He maintained that no ransom was paid for the freedom of the  three Malaysians. A plane from Sabah where the three hostages live had been in Zamboanga City since Friday to take the three back home. The aircraft was piloted by Fong Shan Fah, father of hostage Fong.

 

Six other Malaysians, one German and one Filipino were freed earlier. The Malaysians were forest ranger Zulkarnain Hashim who was released on June 24; policeman Abdul Jawah Sulawat on July 14; and Vincent KwongLee Hock LeongFrancis Masangkim and Balakrishnan Nair on July 21.

 

Renate Wallert, a 56-year-old teacher in Goettingen, northern Germany, was released on July 17 along with Filipino evangelist Danilo Cuarteros, while Filipina Lucrecia Dablo, a cook at Sipadan, was freed on Aug. 16.

 

Other Sipadan hostages who are still in the clutches of the Abu Sayyaf are French nationals Sonia Wendling, 34, a mechanical engineer from Drusenheim, and her boyfriend, Stephani Loisy, 34, also a mechanical engineer; Risto Vahanen, 47, and Seppo Fraenti, both of Helsinki, Finland; Wallert's husband Werner 57, a geography teacher, and their son Marc, 27; South African Callie Strydom, an accountant from Johannesburg, and his wife Monique; Lebanese Marie Moarbes, 32, from Beirut, and Filipino Roland Ullah, also a dive instructor, from Jolo, Sulu.

 

Other Abu Sayyaf captives are French 2 television crew members Maryse Burgot, 36; Jean le Garrec, 46, cameraman, and Roland Madura, 49, soundman, who were held July 3 while covering the hostage drama, 12 preachers of the Jesus Miracle Crusade (JMC) led by flamboyant evangelist Wilde Almeda who were seized on July 1 after conducting a pray over session for the Sipadan victims; and Filipino construction workers Samuel Ramillano, 40, Reynante de la Cruz, 20, and Nelson Habibas, 51, all of Zamboanga City, who were abducted Aug. 1 in Jolo.

 

Sources close to the negotiations said President Estrada's directive to secure the freedom of all the 28 remaining hostages would complicate the talks. "It is better to have two or three (hostages), or in batches than none at all," the source said.- Roel Pareño, wire services

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