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Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Arroyo orders rescue of Ces Drilon, 3 others
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the police and the military Tuesday to exhaust all measures in locating journalist Ces Drilon and her crew who have been reported missing since Sunday.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelie Fajardo said they are not discounting the possibility that Drilon and her team had been kidnapped, but it would be better to await for the official reports from authorities.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
"The initial report is that she (Drilon) is still missing, but of course we cannot discount the possibility that this is a case of kidnapping," she said.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye appealed for more caution and restraint in reporting so as "not to unduly hamper efforts to rescue them."
Related stories:
Broadcaster, 2 others abducted in Sulu
Abducted TV reporter, 3 others sighted in Sulu town
Police chief: Ransom demand not official
Bunye asked those with information that could help locate Drilon immediately to come out and work with authorities.
Earlier reports revealed that Drilon of ABS-CBN news network and her two cameramen were abducted by Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in Sulu Province.
Professor Octavio Dinampo of the Mindanao State University, who was with the journalist's group last Sunday and served as their guide, was also kidnapped.
MILF special group
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) created a special team to help secure the release of Drilon's group.
The special group is headed by an MILF political officer, the militant group said in its website.
The MILF, however, refused to give the identity of the political officer in order to give him and his group better chances of getting hard facts of the incident.
"This will give our man in Sulu to move around freely," said Jun Mantawil, head of the MILF peace panel secretariat. But he clarified that the MILF has very limited help, as the ASG and MILF are "like water and oil."
"But we will do everything in our limited ways to help secure her (Drilon) and her companions' early freedom," said Mantawil.
Mantawil said the MILF group had already sent an initial report stating that Drilon's group was indeed kidnapped by Sayyaf bandits led by certain Gafur Gumbahali in Barangay Kulasi, Maimbung town Sunday morning.
Gafur, the report added, is the brother of Abu Sayyaf dreaded leader Abu Jumdail Gumbahali.
Appeal
Isabela, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad appealed to the kidnappers of Drilon and her crew for their immediate release.
Jumoad said the abductors should release their captives so that they would be able to express what they need.
At the same time, he said they should not harm their victims to avoid disrespecting the democracy.
"They should protect the people in the mass media. They should not harm them. That will be an affront to democracy," he said.
Asked if he is willing to negotiate with the kidnappers, the prelate said: "If they are my friends, I will do it but if I don't know these people, that's impossible because I can only talk to people who are my friends."
Fund raising
Senator Rodolfo Biazon meantime warned that the ASG is again at its fund raising activities, especially kidnap-for-ransom.
"Most vulnerable victims are high profile personalities with the potential of their company coming up with the payment of ransom demands. This had been the mark of previous kidnapping incidents perpetuated by the Abu Sayyaf group," he said.
The reported P10-million demand for the release of Drilon and her crew is not yet confirmed, although this is expected any moment Wednesday.
Biazon also cited the Dos Palmas, Palawan kidnapping of 20 hostages that included three Americans -- Guillermo Sobero and missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham. (Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Bacolod. (June 11, 2008 issue)
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