June 14, 2002, BusinessWorld, Reports of new hostage-taking denied by officials; MILF coddling Abu Sayyaf in Zamboanga?, by Felipe F. Salvosa, II,

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has been providing sanctuary to Abu Sayyaf rebels in Zamboanga del Norte, Western Mindanao since the bandit group successfully slipped through a military cordon in Basilan Island, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanoa last April, a ranking military source yesterday said. This developed as Malacañang yesterday refuted reports that a new set of hostages had been snatched by the Abu Sayyaf from a beach resort in Zamboanga del Norte.

Acting Press Secretary Silvestre C. Afable,, Jr. told a press briefing yesterday that the Palace has checked with the South Command and the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters "and the reports are negative ... there are no hostages held by any armed group in Mindanao." The reports had cited military intelligence findings that said the bandits had taken new hostages before heading for Ipil, Zamboanga del Sur, Western Mindanao.

Also yesterday, a Department of Justice official said charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention are being readied against the captured aide of Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya. State Prosecutor Aristotle Reyes told reporters that Basir Ordoñez will be indicted before the Pasig Regional Trial Court, where criminal charges against other members of the Abu Sayyaf Group are likewise pending.
The death of American Missionary Martin Burnham and Filipino nurse Ediborah Yap, Mr. Reyes said will be considered as "aggravating circumstances." Mr. Ordoñez was captured during rescue operations conducted by the military in Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte which resulted in the freedom of Martin's wife, Gracia. He was reportedly one of the ten bandits guarding the three hostages.

Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said, Mr. Ordoñez may likewise be implicated in connection with the Tumahubong hostage taking incident two years ago where the bandits kidnapped six school teachers and two elementary students from the Claret School in Tumahubong, Sumisip, Basilan Province. The military source, meanwhile, said MILF guerillas had welcomed the Abu Sayyaf band, led by Mr. Sabaya, near the towns of Sirawai, Siocon, Sibuco, and Balanguian early in April. Mr. Sabaya's group was then holding the Burnhams as well as Ms. Yap.

The bandits escaped Basilan by speedboat through Dansalan Island in Tuburan town and elements of the 2nd Marine Battalion were unable to prevent them from doing so after a brief encounter which claimed the lives of four Abu Sayyaf members, he said. "There were indications that after the Dansalan encounter, the bandits were already in Zamboanga del Norte," the source said.

An encounter between elements of the 1st Special Forces Battalion and an Abu Sayyaf contingent led by a certain Sattar Yacub occurred last April 29 near the Zamboanga City coast, killing eight from the terrorist group, he explained. The Abu Sayyaf contingent, which also came from Tuburan, Basilan, was supposed to serve as backup for the group of Abu Sabaya. Mr. Yacub, who fled after the encounter, was later captured by the military in Brgy. Sinunuc, Zamboanga City following a fire-fight. The Abu Sayyaf commander was wounded, he said.
The source also said that it was the MILF, and not the Abu Sayyaf, who kidnapped Edwin Reseroni, a heavy equipment operator for a local logging concession rescued by the military together with Gracia Burnham following Friday's encounter which led to the deaths of Martin Burnham and Ediborah Yap. Four bandits were killed during the encounter last week which was carried out amid a heavy downpour, while seven government troops were reported wounded.

MILF guerillas could still be giving aid to the fleeing Abu Sayyaf band despite repeated assurances on the contrary from the rebel group's spokesman, Eid Kabalu, the source added. "They provided sanctuary and support to the Abu Sayyaf by giving them information regarding military movement in the area as well as food, guides, firearms, and ammunition," he said. "We know they would not admit this, but it is possible the MILF is still giving the Abu Sayyaf sanctuary."

Meanwhile, PNP chief Leandro R. Mendoza said police assets have sighted armed men in the Zamboanga Peninsula, who are suspected of being Abu Sayyaf members. Like his military counterparts, Mr. Mendoza however, assured that the bandit group is still in the general area of Sirawai town. -- with reports from Karen L. Lema and Romulo T. Luib