Tuesday, June 17, 2008 Ces Drilon kidnappers issue ultimatum By Bong Garcia
INDANAN Mayor Alvarez Isnaji said Monday that the kidnappers of ABS-CBN senior reporter Ces Oreña-Drilon and two others in Sulu have given an ultimatum to produce P15 million ransom in exchange for the release of all captives.
The kidnappers have given Drilon's family until noontime Tuesday, June 17, to hand them over the ransom that would be coursed through Isnaji, who served as the negotiator.
"Mayroon magdadala ng pera dito sa akin daw tapos ibigay ko sa kanila," Isnaji said over GMA's dzBB, which is simultaneously aired in Zamboanga City through its local station.
The kidnappers said they would do whatever they want if and when their demand would not be met until noontime of Tuesday, according to Isnaji.
"Sila na daw ang bahala sa policy nila, wala ng makaka-interfere sa kanila," he said, quoting the kidnapper, whom he do not know in person.
However, Isnaji stressed that he has nothing to do with the ransom deal, citing it was an agreement between the kidnappers and the family of Drilon.
Drilon, her crew Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama, and guide Professor Octavio Dinampo, who is also a peace advocate, were seized by gunmen believed to be Abu Sayyaf bandits last Sunday in Barangay Kulasi, Maimbung, Sulu.
They were on the way to conduct interviews for a special report when the gunmen waylaid them.
The kidnappers have released Valderama last Thursday evening.
Isnaji said the ultimatum was relayed to him when he and the supposed leader of the kidnappers have talked Monday morning over the cellular phone.
He said Drilon was forced to agree with the kidnappers' ransom demand since she was under duress.
"Nakatutok daw yong baril sa kanya (Drilon) habang nag-uusap sila (Drilon and her family)," Isnaji said.
With this development, Isnaji said he would initiate another option in a bid to seek the safe release of the hostages.
The Indanan mayor said he will send an emissary to personally talk with the kidnappers to seek the safe release of Drilon, Encarnacion, and Dinampo.
Isnaji said he will work first for the issuance of safe conduct pass before sending his emissary.
