April 12, 2002, The Philippine Star, Golez: No truth to US reports of ransom negotiations,

April 12, 2002, The Philippine Star, Golez: No truth to US reports of ransom negotiations,

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez branded reports of private individuals from Washington, DC negotiating with the Abu Sayyaf for the safe release of the American hostages still in their grasp as false.

Golez said such published reports were "untrue", citing that payment of the ransom runs counter to the"no-ransom" policy of both the Philippines and the United States.

"The reports quoted unnamed sources, which make the article doubly dubious. The story has no basis and apparently not true," Golez added.

Reports from Washington quoting unnamed sources disclosed that a private group provided the ransom and paid $3M US dollars for the release of Martin and Gracia Burnham early March. However, the Burnhams are still being held captive by the group, led by Abu Sabaya.