Diigo, July 23, 2000, The Philippine Star, Release of 6 more Abu hostages seen,

Diigo, July 23, 2000, The Philippine Star, Release of 6 more Abu hostages seen,

Chief government negotiator Robert Aventajado hinted yesterday that the three remaining Malaysians and three Western women would be the next hostages to be released soon by the Abu Sayyaf. "The three Malaysians may be freed in the next few days," Aventajado said in an interview with a Jolo- based radio station.

Sources close to the negotiations said an Abu Sayyaf leader held on to Fong Yin Ken, Basilius Jim and Kua Yu Loong in a row over ransom money received for four other Malaysians set free last Friday. Aventajado said he had an agreement with Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang alias "Commander Robot" that the women would be set free first.

Four women, who were among 21 people seized by gunmen during a raid last April 23 on the Malaysian diving resort of Sipadan, are still being held in the Abu Sayyaf's jungle lair in Talipao town, Sulu. They are Lucrecia Dablo of the Philippines, Sonia Wendling of France, Marie Moarbes of Lebanon and Monique Styrdom of South Africa.

The other Sipadan hostages still in Abu Sayyaf custody are Werner Wallert and his son Marc, Wendling's French boyfriend Stephane Loisy, Mirco Jahanen Rista and Johan Franti Seppo of Finland, Strydom's husband Carel, and Filipino Roland Ullah.

Since the Sipadan abductions, the Abu Sayyaf have also captured a three- member French television crew including a woman, 13 Filipino Christian preachers and a German magazine writer. The kidnappers have so far released six Malaysians and Wallert's wife Renate.

Sources said the Abu Sayyaf bandits, who style themselves as freedom fighters, have raked in at least $4 million out of the hostage crisis. The kidnappers earlier asked for $1 million for each of the Sipadan captives. Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora rued that huge amounts of money have apparently changed hands during the hostage saga. The Estrada administration, along with the governments of Germany and Malaysia, has repeatedly insisted that no ransom payments were made for the release of the hostages.

"The Malaysians have been dealing directly with the Abu Sayyaf. But that is without our knowledge and that certainly, is without our cooperation," Zamora clarified. "Let's be truthful to each other. We cannot stop parties concerned to give (ransom) money," Zamora said. Aventajado reported to Malacañang earlier that a group of Malaysians introducing themselves either as senators, ministers or businessmen were conducting back-channel talks with the Abu Sayyaf.

Zamora said they started suspecting that ransom payments were in the works when the Abu Sayyaf dropped their political demands, yet began releasing the hostages. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad maintained that no ransom was paid for the release of the Malaysian hostages. Mahathir added, however, that they were willing to provide development assistance for Mindanao, adding Malaysian businessmen were already investing in oil palm plantations in the South.

In another development, Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto vowed to block any move by the Estrada administration to allocate funds that will directly benefit Abu Sayyaf members. Recto, chairman of the House economic affairs committee, was reacting to reports that Andang was seeking government financing for an orange plantation he plans to set up on a piece of land he owns in Talipao.

"Commander Robot will have to kiss his orange orchard goodbye," Recto said in a statement. He said any request in next year's national budget that will be earmarked for projects which will have Abu Sayyaf members as beneficiaries "will never see the light of day."

He said any proposed allocation in the budget meant for the Abu Sayyaf is "nothing but ransom payment through congressional insertion." "If he wants to be an orange magnate, Robot should use his loot as his capital. It will be adding insult to injury if his project will receive government sponsorship," Recto said. -- Roel Pareño, Marichu Villanueva, AFP, AP