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Sunday, June 15, 2008
Ces Drilon's group requests toiletries, medicines
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- ABS-CBN senior reporter Ces Oreña-Drilon and her companions requested Saturday for toiletries and medicines while still under the hands of their captors in Sulu, south of this city.
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Drilon sent the request through a text message to Haider Isnaji, the son of Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji who is negotiating for the release of the hostages.
In the text message, Drilon said they need some medicines for peace advocate and Mindanao State University Professor Octavio Dinampo as he is suffering from arthritis.
Jainatul, the wife of Dinampo, went to Sulu and brought with her medicines for her husband. Dinampo served as the guide of Drilon's group.
Saturday's text message was the first communication between the kidnappers and the negotiators after the release of ABS-CBN assistant cameraman Angelo Valderama.
Reports said there was no communication between the Abu Sayyafs and negotiators the whole day of Friday since the battery of Drilon's cellular phone that is being used by the bandits got drained and has to be recharged.
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Valderama was released on Thursday evening in Barangay Timbangan, Indanan town.
Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) police director, said Saturday that Valderama is still in Zamboanga City for a debriefing, a process that a former hostage should undergo after release.
Goltiao, however, refused to say the whereabouts of Valderama.
Asked as to when Valderama would return home, Goltiao said: "He (Valderama) is the one who has the choice of his schedule and we are just acting on his request."
Drilon, Valderama, Jimmy Encarnacion, and Dinampo were seized by a faction of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bandits last Sunday in Barangay Kulasi, Maimbung town while they were on their way to conduct interviews for a special coverage.
Mayor Isnaji said all requests and communications of the captors' leaders should be coursed through him so as not to complicate the situation.
The kidnappers have chosen Isnaji to serve as the negotiator for the release of the hostages.
As of Saturday, Mayor Isnaji said efforts continue for the release of the remaining hostages. (Bong Garcia/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (June 15, 2008 issue)
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