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September 9, 2000, Philippine Daily Inquire, No hostages released, by Julie Alipala-Inot,

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 September 9, 2000, Philippine Daily Inquire, No hostages released, by Julie Alipala-Inot,


Abu Sayyaf delays freedom of 6 Europeans over ransom from Libya 

ZAMBOANGA CITY-Abu Sayyaf kidnappers in Sulu yesterday delayed once again the release of six European hostages for several reasons: reported disagreements over ransom and how many hostages should be released; a funeral of a gunman supposedly killed in an accident Thursday; and disturbances by Sayyaf gangs in the area. 

Sources in Sulu attributed the postponement to the alleged failure of Libya to pay a full ransom demand of $1 million for each of the Europeans. The sources said that Abu Sayyaf commander Galib Andang "threw a tantrum" when he was told that only $5.4 million was available. Another official claimed that Libyan negotiators had brought only $4 million in ransom money, enough to pay for just four of the hostages: three Frenchmen, two Finns and a German abducted from the Sipadan resort in Malaysia in April. 

Libya has allegedly resisted paying for two French television journalists seized while covering the hostage crisis, saying their company should foot the bill. The sources said that for $5.4 million, Andang, alias Commander Robot, was only willing to release one Finn and two French journalists. 

Chief government negotiator Robert Aventajado did not mention the alleged ransom disagreement in a press conference here last night, but he did say that "this morning, we got news from Robot that he was willing to release only three, instead of six as promised." Aventajado said that his emissaries tried to renegotiate with Andang, insisting that he "keep his word." 

"The position we're taking is that we will not agree to the release of less than six captives," said government emissary Ernesto Pacuno, codenamed "Dragon," who went to the Abu Sayyaf camp in Bandang, Talipao, yesterday but returned empty-handed. The government, however, has already bent its original policy against the release of the hostages in batches.

Aventajado said that he tried to negotiate with Andang himself on the kidnapper's satellite phone, but "this was not possible" because Andang had to attend the funeral and deal with the Abu Sayyaf gangs in another town. Other officials said the Abu Sayyaf postponed the release so the gunmen could attend the funeral of Wawih Susukan, the brother of Abu Sayyaf commander Mujib Susukan. 

"The burial today of Mujib Susukan's brother, who died yesterday in a motorcycle accident, delayed the release," Robert Mananquil, a senior aide to Aventajado, told reporters here. Islamic custom dictates that a Muslim's body must be buried before sunset. 

But local officials cast doubts on the Abu Sayyaf's claim, especially after local reporters swore that they saw Susukan's brother alive in Jolo yesterday morning. One local journalist said he had even exchanged pleasantries with Wawih that morning at the public market. 

Show-offs 

Mananquil said the delay was also caused by "trouble created by some Abu Sayyaf members" in another town, where they rode around on new motorcycles brandishing their weapons and "threatening people." He said Andang had to go and check on the rebels to avoid creating further tension. The gunmen have boosted the Jolo economy with their kidnappings, which enabled them to raise millions of dollars in ransom. The money was promptly invested in more weapons, jewelry and other consumer goods including motorcycles, intelligence sources said. 

'None today' 

After a frustrating and unsuccessful trip to Jolo yesterday to get the hostages, Dragon ruled out the release of the six Europeans within the day, but said negotiators would try again to secure their freedom today. "This is my first failure," said Dragon, who had earlier helped secure the release of other Western hostages. 

Dragon drove back to the airport on Jolo island around 4 p.m. after a visit to the Abu Sayyaf camp, and told reporters: "None today." "We'll try again tomorrow," he said, before boarding a military plane which would take him and another emissary, Ritchie Jumaani (nicknamed "Dragonito"), back to Zamboanga City to confer with Aventajado's senior aides. An hour before Pacuno's departure from Jolo, the Air Force in Manila abruptly canceled a military flight that was supposed to take European diplomats to Zamboanga to welcome their citizens, aviation sources said. 

Gadhafi on ransom 

Earlier this week, Libyan envoy Rajab Azzarouq pledged $8-10 million in "development aid" to Muslim areas in Mindanao in exchange for the release of the remaining Sipadan captive. But the Libyans are also believed to have paid millions of dollars in ransom for the release of the other Sipadan hostages. 

But Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi told US cable network CNN yesterday: "It is not a question of money." If it were, he said, there were others who have more money to pay. "It is a question of moral influence. Libya has supported the rights of the minority in the Philippines, as it has supported the rights of minorities all around the world." 

Gadhafi said that his country's negotiators continue to do their best to achieve the release of all the captives. Asked about Libya's position on US hostage Jeffrey Schilling Kadhafi said: "We do not differentiate between American and other hostages--we do our best to release all the hostages." 

140th day 

Frenchman Stephane Loisy, Finns Seppo Fraenti and Risto Vahanen, German Marc Wallert and Filipino Roland Ullah are the only remaining members of the group of 21 Sipadan hostages. They enter their 140th day in captivity today. Ullah is being held by an Abu Sayyaf faction led by Radulan Sajiron. Andang's faction, which holds the Europeans, is also holding 12 preachers from the Jesus Miracle Crusade. 

Another Abu Sayyaf faction originally from Basilan holds American hostage Jeffrey Schilling. President Estrada is planning to call a meeting of the National Security Council after his return from New York, to rethink the government's strategy in dealing with the kidnappers. "It's possible that we may change our tactics," Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said yesterday. With reports from Inquirer wires; Noralyn Mustafa and Jonathan F. Ma, PDI Mindanao Bureau; Juliet Jav

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