August 15, 2000, The Philippine Star, Gov't sticking to negotiations, not military solution to Sayyaf,

August 15, 2000, The Philippine Star, Gov't sticking to negotiations, not military solution to Sayyaf, 

Malacañang ruled out yesterday a commando-type operation to rescue 17 mostly foreign hostages being held since April 23 by the Abu Sayyaf in a jungle hideout in Sulu.

Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora told reporters the government does not believe that a military solution is the appropriate action to end the hostage crisis.

In Jolo, former Libyan ambassador to Manila Rajab Azzarouq expressed hope that all the 17 hostages - 14 of them kidnapped last April from Sipadan, Malaysia - would be released soon. Azzarouq met with Abu Sayyaf leaders yesterday.

The 17 hostages include three Malaysians, three French citizens, including a Lebanese-born woman given French citizenship while in custody, two Germans, two Finns, two South Africans, and two Filipinos. The three remaining captives are with French television.

Officials in Jolo said Azzarouq also negotiated for the freedom of 12 Christian evangelists led by Wilde Almeda, spiritual leader of the Jesus Miracle Crusade (JMC), who have been in the Abu Sayyaf hideout since July 1, fasting and praying for the hostages' release.

Azzarouq and government officials denied a London newspaper report that Libya had paid $25 million to the Abu Sayyaf for the freedom of the hostages.

However, sources in Jolo said the terrorists are demanding P130 million for the release of Almeda and his 11 disciples.

Local police sources said the Abu Sayyaf is demanding up to $1 million for each of the Caucasians and about $350,000 each for the Asian hostages.

Earlier, the military said the guerrillas had collected about P245 million in ransom for the six Malaysians and a German woman who have already been released.

Last week, President Estrada said he remains confident that chief government negotiator Robert Aventajado can work out the safe release of the hostages.

"We don't give up," he said. "Even in other countries it lasts more than almost two years in hostage situations like this. As I've said, the primary concern of the government is the safety of the hostages."

However, Zamora said Aventajado's efforts are being derailed by certain foreign governments and foreign organizations which continue to pay ransom to the Abu Sayyaf in violation of the government's no-ransom policy.

"Let us accept that these things were happening which were really not within our control," he said. "we really cannot stop these activities because many of the transactions (to pay ransom) do not happen in the Philippines."

On the other hand, Press Secretary Ricardo Puno Jr. said the government is unable to prevent the ransom payments because the transactions are being done through "bank-to-bank transfers."

"This is an internationalized economy right now," he said. "There are many ways of transferring funds, and there are many ways of putting money into people's pockets. And you don't necessarily go through borders which can then effectively prevent them from doing that."

In Iligan City, retired Lt. Gen. Edgardo Batenga of the government peace panel told reporters the government can only end the Mindanao conflict through "a principled, peaceful, and negotiated settlement" with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). -- Marichu Villanueva, Lino dela Cruz, Reuters