December 11, 2000, ABS-CBN, Malacañang to file suit vs Der Spiegel,

December 11, 2000, ABS-CBN, Malacañang to file suit vs Der Spiegel,

MANILA, (ABS-CBN) – The government will file libel charges against the German news magazine Der Spiegel for its expose claiming President Joseph Estrada and chief hostage negotiator Robert Aventajado received kickbacks amounting to millions of dollars in ransom money during the Sulu hostage crisis. 

"We will sue for libel (against Der Spiegel)," Aventajado said. 

Aventajado spoke to the President on Sunday night, signalling his intent to push through with a joint lawsuit with the Chief Executive vs. the German magazine. 

Earlier, Der Spiegel editors said the magazine will come out with a story alleging that the President pocketed at least 40% of the $20-million ransom paid to the Abu Sayyaf in exchange for the release of its German hostages.

It claims it has information from German intelligence organizations that monitored conversations of negotiations between the rebel Abu Sayyaf group and government emissaries. The phone conversations were reportedly tapped by secret police via sattelite. 

Aventajado pointed out however that he knew the German government and its Secret Service was monitoring them. 

"We knew about it. Sana they will come forward and tell the world how hard we worked," Aventajao said. 

Press Secretary Ricardo V. Puno Jr., meanwhile, challenged Der Spiegel to produce proofs of the allegations other than simply quoting intelligence reports. 

"Nobody has taken a direct accusation except to quote intelligence reports. Mr. Aventajado already said, 'Hindi totoo 'yan. Bahala sila kung meron silang evidence. Mahirap kasi puro intelligence report, sino ba talaga [ang] nag-aakusa nito? (Mr. Aventajado already said it is not true. So it's up to them to present evidence because it's difficult if you just quote intelligence reports. Who is really making all these accusations?)," Puno said. 

Press undersecretary Mike Toledo also believes the timing of the story's release is highly suspicious in light of the ongoing impeachment trial vs. President Estrada.