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Friday, June 13, 2008
Sayyafs free ABS-CBN TV cameraman
MANILA (Updated 3:12 p.m.) -- Suspected al-Qaida-linked militants have freed a cameraman of ABS-CBN News, but his two colleagues remain captive, officials said Friday.
ABS-CBN's popular anchor and senior reporter Ces Drilon and cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion were still being held by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits, officials said.
Isnaji Alvarez, mayor of Indanan township on troubled Sulu provinbce and one of the negotiators, said by telephone Friday that Angelo Valderama was freed late Thursday.
Police said Valderama was released in Talipao township, near the boundary of Indanan.
Related story:
Ransom for Ces Drilon's group raised to P20M
Muslim rebels free 2 captive Marines
Alvarez said he turned over Valderama to authorities after the abductors were paid a "minimal amount" for the hostages' food expenses.
He confirmed reports that the abductors have demanded 20 million pesos in ransom.
"They have mentioned that, but who can afford that?" he said.
"So we are negotiating here. Don't worry, very soon Ces will be released."
Alvarez said Valderama's release was a sign that the kidnappers and negotiators have established trust and confidence.
The families of the remaining hostages said they were deeply relieved by Valderama's release.
"We appeal to the kidnappers to also immediately release Ces and Jimmy as an act of compassion and humanity," they said in a statement e-mailed to the media by ABS-CBN.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said they "continue to hope for the safety of the others."
He said he did not know if ransom was paid, but the government frowns on paying for hostage releases.
Drilon and her crewmen were intercepted Sunday in Sulu’s Maimbung township by gunmen believed to be led by Abu Sayyaf commander Albader Parad and Gaifur Jumdail, who belongs to another armed group, said Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao, the regional police chief.
The news team arrived in Jolo on Saturday at the invitation of a professor at Mindanao State University, Octavio Dinampo, Goltiao said. The following morning, Dinampo picked them up from a university hostel, but armed men intercepted them as their vehicle passed through the village of Kulasi, Goltiao said.
Dinampo also was held by the kidnappers, and police were trying to investigate his background, Goltiao said without elaborating.
ABS-CBN earlier condemned the kidnapping and said it will abide by its policy not to pay ransom because it may embolden kidnap-for-ransom groups to abduct other journalists. (AP)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Davao. (June 13, 2008 issue)
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