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August 27, 2000, ABS-CBN, Court orders 2 Abu Sayyaf bagmen released,

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August 27, 2000, ABS-CBN, Court orders 2 Abu Sayyaf bagmen released,

 

ZAMBOANGA, (ABS-CBN) - A barrier to the immediate release of the Sulu hostages was cleared after a local court ordered two suspected Abu Sayyaf members freed this Saturday after being caught in Zamboanga City last Thursday.

 

The rebels had threatened to behead some of their captives if the pair, Jeffrey Jinnul and Adjid Halik, who were arrested by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF), were not released.

 

The two suspects were arrested while trying to change some US$245,000 at the Land Bank of the Philippines in Zamboanga City. The money was believed to be part of the ransom acquired by the Abu Sayyaf rebels in their previous hostage releases.

 

The suspects' lawyer, Paulino Ersando, said a local court ordered the release of the suspects after they posted bail of P120,000 each. "They rode a motorcycle after they left the courthouse but I don't know where they are now," Ersando said. The lawyer added he believes the two left the courthouse with relatives.

 

Ersando said the suspects had been charged as accessories to the kidnapping by the Abu Sayyaf of foreign and Filipino hostages and their detention in their jungle hideout in Jolo, Sulu.

 

The court order was issued amidst Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Panfilo Lacson's assertions that they will not release the two men and the money seized from them. His statement came amidst reports that a senior government official was working for the release of the two suspects.

 

Earlier, leaders of the Muslim extremist group threatened to delay the release of their mostly foreign captives after the found out of the arrest.

 

Abu Sayyaf leader Galib Andang alias Kumander Robot was reportedly fuming when he called government emissaries by phone on Friday. "I will cut off their (the hostages) heads if the pair is not freed immediately" the leader reportedly said.

 

However, a source said Andang's outburst did not sound like a serious threat to harm the hostages and appeared to be more of an expression of anger.

 

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