StevenWarRan Research: May 30 2001: Dos Palmas

May 30, 2001, CNN News, Hide and seek search for kidnappers, 3:39 AM EDT
May 30, 2001, BBC News, US offers help in hostage crisis, 10:34 GMT
May 30, 2001, The Philippine Star, Zamboanga City radioman slain, by Roel Pareño,
May 30, 2001, The Philippine Star, MILF also ready to hunt down Sayyaf, by John Unson,
May 30 2001, The Manila Times, GMA: Free hostages or face bullets, Joel R. San Juan, Johnna Villaviray,
May 30, 2001, The Manila Times, US steps up hostage role FBI men to check Americans' plight,
May 30, 2001, Gulf News, Concerns rise over upsurge in vigilantism, by Gilbert Felongco,
May 30, 2001, Gulf News, Security beefed up at five tourist spots, by Barbara Mae Dacanay,
May 30, 2001, Gulf News, Release hostages or face bullets, Arroyo warns kidnappers,
May 30, 2001, AP / Washington Post, U.S. Offers Aid in Finding Hostages, Adam Brown, 10:39 p.m. EDT
May 30, 2001, AFP, Philippines enlists vigilante groups to hunt kidnap group, 1:45 PM
May 30, 2001, AFP, Philippine free press confronts hostage crisis clampdown, 1:54 AM
May 30, 2001, AFP, US calls for immediate release of hostages held by Abu Sayyaf, 9:50 AM
May 30, 2001, AFP, Daughter of US national held by Abu Sayyaf appeals to Bush for help, 9:52 AM
May 30, 2001, AFP, Broadcaster slain in Zamboanga city, 9:54 AM
May 30, 2001, AFP, US offers aid to RP over kidnapping crisis 1:52AM
May 30, 2001, AFP, Hostages’ personal effects recovered in remote island, 4:43 PM
May 30, 2001, AFP, Local media to follow news blackout 'to a certain extent', 2:17 PM
May 30, 2001, AFP, Hostages’ personal effects recovered in remote island, 4:43 PM
May 30, 2001, Sun Star, US aircrafts still in Clark,
May 30, 2001, Sun Star, GMA orders news blackout on Abu attack,
May 30, 2001, Sun Star, Abu threatens 'mass killing' of hostages, by Bong Garcia and Joshua Dancel,
May 30, 2001, Sun Star, Cebu store, bank in Bohol robbed,
May 30, 2001, Sun Star Zamboanga, Sayyaf not yet in Basilan, Sulu: military,
May 30, 2001, Inquirer, News blackout on rescue efforts, Martin Marfil, Juliet Javella 0:02 AM
May 30, 2001, Inquirer, Senators express guarded support for blackout, 0:05 AM
May 30, 2001, Inquirer, Journalists can still cover operations -- AFP spokesperson, 0:09 AM
May 30, 2001, Inquirer, GMA warns kidnappers 'a rain of bullets', by Martin P. Marfil, 0:14 AM
May 30, 2001, INQ7, Human rights group warns vs 'hamletting', 0:40 AM
May 30, 2001, Inquirer, Army chief defends intelligence units, 0:46 AM
May 30, 2001, Inquirer, Palawan chopper crash blamed on engine failure, 0:58 AM
May 30, 2001, Inquirer, DOJ scraps unit for defying order to go after Honasan, 1:00 AM

May 30, 2001, Sun Star Zamboanga, GMA orders news blackout on Abu attack,

MANILA -- Given the sensitivity of the situation in Mindanao, President Arroyo Tuesday ordered a "news blackout" for the government to be able to fully concentrate on its rescue operations against the bandit Abu Sayyaf group.

She also refused to respond to a warning by the Abu Sayyaf of a "mass killing" of the hostages if troops moved against them.

"I've no comment, there is a news blackout please," Arroyo told reporters at her weekly news conference.

Arroyo in making the order has meantime refused to categorically answer queries on whether her administration's P100 million reward offer also covers the directive for the ASG bandits to be captured dead or alive.

She said the blackout was needed to prevent the government's rescue operation for the 17 Filipinos and three Americans seized by the Abu Sayyaf from a resort being undermined.

"Please understand the sensitivity of the ongoing operations. It is important to employ secrecy to surprise the enemy," Arroyo said.

Giving the rebels media attention only "makes them brave," she added.

"That is the psychology of the terrorists, they want to have international acclaim."

The president appealed to the press to stay clear of the islands of Basilan and Jolo, where the Muslim rebels are believed to have taken their hostages in two batches.

Arroyo said she ordered the military to set up mini-camps in every island in the archipelago to avert future abductions in the tourist areas.

"In every island in the Philippines, there must be soldiers stationed every hour. With this, we could convey to our people and to the entire world that we have the ability of defending our nation against the terrorists," the President stressed.

Mrs. Arroyo in her opening speech reiterated her government's no ransom position with a call to the Muslim bandits to now lay down their arms and surrender or get ready for the "raining of bullets."

"I know the Abu Sayyaf is only for money. But then, they should not expect any ransom money from this government and if need, I am ready to increase our P100 million reward for the (arrest of the) brains of the Abu Sayyaf. Therefore to you Abu Sayyaf, release your hostages now while there is still time or you will be showered with bullets," the President remarked.

To date, the Philippine government has already asked its neighboring countries to intensify their patrols against the possible entry of the ASG. One country they have contacted in particular according to the President, was Malaysia.

Mediamen who would opt to cover the rescue operations in Basilan and Sulu the Chief Executive said, will be barred from entering the area of conflict.

The authorities will not protect those who would still insist in going to the area, Mrs. Arroyo said. "It's their (journalists) lookout if they get kidnapped," the President said.

Other questions pertaining to the Mindanao crisis which were thrown to the President, including the ASG's threat of killing their hostages "en masse" were later turned down as part of her news blackout directive.

The call for a news blackout Mrs. Arroyo said, would likewise embrace the broadcast and print agencies which serves as the ASG's medium of communication each time they stage a kidnapping operation.

"We would request you to do that (not to interview the ASG) please, because that is what makes them brave. That is the psychology of the terrorists they want to have an international acclaim, and if you give them that it emboldens them. So, it is not a patriotic act to give them a forum," she stressed.

She said, it will be up to the Armed Forces of the Philippines to come up with the implementing rules and regulations on how to apply the reward system, specifically if the offer would mean capturing the ASG members dead or alive.

In support to her call, the President last night hosted a dinner meeting with the newspaper, television and radio stations executives.

The meeting which started at 6:30 in the evening according to a Palace source, was only aimed at formalizing the President's appeal to the media industry to support her administration's effort of ending the ASG terroristic acts by not covering the Mindanao activities at all.

"The meeting was to reiterate her (Mrs. Arroyo) appeal for cooperation from media owners in dealing with media owners. She approved it upon the recommendation of her Cabinet especially those involved in the tourism," the Palace official who requested anonymity said.

The Armed Forces warned the press to take extra precautions if they insisted on travelling to Jolo or Basilan. Arroyo said she had not yet ordered the military to physically prevent reporters from going to Jolo.

"We would not encourage you to go to Jolo at this time but in case you'll be proceeding, please observe guidelines to ensure your safety," Armed Forces spokesman Edilberto Adan said.

"We hope the incident last year will not be repeated because it adds up to the problem," Brigadier General Adan told a news conference.

The Abu Sayyaf last year seized several foreign and local journalists in Jolo who were covering a hostage crisis involving 21 mostly foreign captives. All but one of the hostages were freed or rescued.

Mrs. Arroyo for her part has also asked the media to stop criticizing the defense weaknesses of the AFP.

The AFP she said, was supposed to receive P15 billion annually since 1994. The amount covers the military modernization program.

"I've been asking for a budget for the AFP Modernization Program even before this (incident). I believe its one of the priorities that we should address... The law provided for P15B per year (budget) since it was passed, that was what 1994. We were still together as senators all of us (referring to her other Cabinet members). But so far the total they've gotten all these years is P5B. For all these years not for every year, but all these years, so you can imagine how much the national government owes the modernization program," the President said.

She added: "That's why may we now please support our modernization program and not attack the government when it put more money for the budget of the Armed Forces?"

Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, appointed head of the task force mandated to secure the resort areas in the country said, the ASG's Palawan attack, has not necessarily crippled the country's tourism industry.

International conventions scheduled in the country would still push through, Gordon assured.

"I would just like to add that we are still going to have international conventions in the area and no one has cancelled. I just want to add that. So we are not dead, we're alive and kicking," Gordon told reporters.

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez when interviewed after the news conference, assured the government's capability of securing all the 7,107 islands in the country.

The issue about the country's solicitation of foreign support Golez said, is part of the news blackout.

"That's part of the news blackout because we don't want to telegraph our punches here. I think you have to understand that this is a very sensitive area and we have a deadly adversary here so we cannot telegraph our punches," the Security Chief explained.

Golez during the interview junked the reported weakness of the military intelligence that led to the successful snatching of the 20 Palawan hostages last Sunday.

"There's no failure of intelligence, we have a military that is among the best in the world pound for pound," he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Rodolfo Biazon Tuesday urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to prohibit journalists from entering the lair of the bandit groups Abu Sayyaf.

Biazon, chair of the Senate Committee on national defense and security said journalists should not be allowed to enter Abu Sayyaf's lair in Sulu so they won't be held hostage by the group.

The senator cited the Sulu hostage crisis where several foreign and local mediamen covering the developments became hostages of the Abu Sayyaf.

Despite the cordon set by the military, journalists tried to sneak into the ASG's lair to interview the bandit's leaders and the foreign hostages.

Biazon said to prevent the repeat of the incident the military should strictly prohibit journalists from going to the ASG's den.

However, the senator expressed his opposition to the proposal to declare a news blackout in the military's all-out offensive and rescue operations against the ASG.

The former AFP chief of staff also admitted that the Abu Sayyaf has an advantage over the AFP in terms of military equipment.

"May ginawa namang hakbang ang AFP para mapigilan ang pagkaulit ng pangyayari sa Pearl Farm Resort sa Davao, pero kulang talaga ang kasangkapan ng militar," he said.

He said the proposed AFP modernization is long overdue and that has not been implemented fully due to lack of funds.

"We have to implement the AFP modernization now so we can buy speedboats, helicopters and other equipment," Biazon said.

The senator, likewise, lashed out at businessmen who continuously threaten to withdraw their investments in the country if the government fails to resolve the spate of kidnappings.

"Kung sa tingin ng mga investor ay dito sila tutubo sa ating bansa, kahit na harangan mo ng goons, pupunta pa rin ang mga yan sa ating bansa," he said.

For her part, Senate Committee on Tourism Chair Loren Legarda said the latest kidnapping in Dos Palmas Resort in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan is not an isolated case and that the government should seriously deal with it.

"Sa kasong ito, hindi natin puwedeng sabihin na isolated case na lang, harapin natin and problema at gawin ang lahat ng paraan," she said.

Despite the kidnapping incidents, Legarda believes the local beach resorts are still safe. She also urged local tourists to spend their vacation in the country rather than travel abroad. (Sunnex/wires)

May 30, 2001, Sun Star, Abu threatens 'mass killing' of hostages, by Bong Garcia and Joshua Dancel,

ZAMBOANGA -- Abu Sayyaf kidnappers on Tuesday threatened a "mass killing" of their 20 hostages following the military offensive as President Gloria Arroyo steeled her people for a "war" with the Muslim guerrillas to the point of urging vigilante groups in the south to help crush the bandits.

The gunmen issued the threat through satellite phone to RMN-Zamboanga while Arroyo and her top security aides drew up options to secure the freedom of the three Americans and 17 Filipino hostages.

The captives include American Christian missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, longtime Philippine residents originally from Kansas, and Californian Guillermo Sobero.

"It would do you good to release your hostages while there is still time. If not, we will rain bullets on you," Arroyo warned in a television statement, in which she again ruled out paying any ransoms.

Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Asmad Salayudi alias Abu Sabaya issued the threat as ground troopers were deployed to scour the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi while Navy patrol gunboats were on a Naval blockade positions.

"We will not think twice to have a mass killing of the hostages once the military will launch an all-out offensive," DXRZ quoted Sabaya who since Monday made short calls through their satellite phone to RMN-Zamboanga.

The short calls appeared to be purposely done in order to avoid detection from communication tracking devices and trace their existing location.

Station manager Rey Bayuging said Sabaya did not disclose his location but admitted the guerrillas were feeling under increased military pressure.

The exact location of the hostages remained uncertain three days after they were snatched from the western Philippines resort of Dos Palmas.

Sabaya said the captives have been split into two groups and held in the Basilan and Sulu island groups, but the military insists they have been cornered in the small island of Mapun in the middle of the Sulu Sea.

A Sulu provincial police chief said the hostages were offloaded in Jolo island.

The gunmen said the Burnhams and Californian Guillermo Sobero are all together in Basilan. The three Americans along with seven Filipinos are in the custody of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadafy Janjalani in Basilan.

The other 10 hostages are in the custody of bandit group led by Ghalib Andang alias Commander Robot and associate Mujib Susukan in Sulu.

"So I ask the bandits Abu Sayyaf to let the hostages go free or face a storm of bullets now on their way," Arroyo said. She said this storm of bullets could come not only from the guns of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, but also from civilians living in the south.

She said she was prepared to arm citizens' militias, like the anti-communist Christian vigilante groups employed by previous governments in the southern island of Mindanao in the 1970s and 1980s.

However, she did not specify whether these civilians will come from the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu).

The Armed Forces of the Philippines virtually declared an open season for the vigilante groups to help hunt the Abu Sayyaf.

AFP spokesman Edilberto Adan said anybody who can neutralize the Abu Sayyaf is welcome.

Historically, however, armed civilians have always been members of the Cafgu and, because of "warlordism", previous governments were forced to disarm members of the Cafgu.

Arroyo is confident that arming the civilians would not result in "other problems" similar to the ones that came about in the previous years.

"Yes, I will allow civilians to be armed and no I don't think we will have a problem with doing that in the future," she said.

In a strategic move, President Arroyo announced she was imposing a "news blackout" on the government operations against the kidnappers.

She asked the press to clear out of the areas of military operations, "lest you be kidnapped as well" just like last year when the Abu Sayyaf added journalists to its collection of nearly two dozen mostly foreign hostages seized from the Malaysian resort of Sipadan.

Arroyo on Monday offered a P5 million reward for the heads of the kidnap gang, and said Tuesday she was "ready to increase the bounty."

"We have provided the reward system and we are prepared to deal with the consequences of the reward system," she added.

She said the budget will be taken from the government's intelligence funds.

Arroyo finds an ally in former PNP chief Panfilo Lacson who supports her move of giving bounty to Abu Sayyaf hunters.

" I think it's the right move kasi it will encourage sa mga tao sa paligid instead of protecting these people," Lacson said.

Most of the captives were ransomed off for millions of dollars over four months while the rest were freed after the military attacked their Jolo base in September. They still hold one Filipino captive from the Sipadan raid.

She said military outposts would be put up in all the country's 7,100 islands "to deny them (kidnappers) sanctuary", and tourist resorts would get additional security. (Sunnex/wires)

May 30, 2001, Sun Star, US aircrafts still in Clark,

SAN FERNANDO -- Twelve United States aircrafts, which landed in Clark Field on Sunday, have yet to fly to Okinawa, Japan, their supposed destination while officials of the US Embassy and the Federal Bureau of Investigation starts its probe in Palawan.

US Embassy officials and FBI agents arrived in Palawan Tuesday to find out more of the Abu Sayyaf abduction of three American nationals.

US Consul Sonny Busa interviewed over ABS-CBN in Palawan said they just came to pick up the belongings of American Christian missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, and Californian Guillermo Sobero and to make sure that it goes back to their families.

At the same time, Chief Supt. Domingo Reyes said kidnapping charges will be filed against the Abu Sayyaf bandits so warrants of arrest can be issued against them.

In San Fernando, the four advance F18 fighter planes, four C130s and four CH53E long-range helicopters also known a Sea Knights were still on the grounds of the Air Force City tarmac as of Tuesday afternoon.

Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) Commission spokesperson Elmer Cato said the aircraft, which came from Malaysia en route to Okinawa, were supposed to land in Palawan to refuel.

But the recent kidnapping incident in Palawan by the Abu Sayyaf prompted the US Marines to re-route their aircraft to Clark Field.

Speculation arose Tuesday that the delayed flight of the aircraft to Japan had something to do with the brewing fight between government troops and the Abu Sayyaf group.

The Abu Sayyaf abducted 20 hostages from Dos Palmas Arreceffi Island Resort in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Sunday.

Three of the hostages are Americans - Martin and Gracia Burnham and Guillermo Sobero.

Cato however denied the speculations, saying that the aircraft landed in Clark to refuel and nothing else.

Clark airport tower controller Hardy Mangalindan told Sun.Star Pampanga Tuesday that they have yet to receive information on the purported flight of the US planes.

"There is still no flight schedule reported to us. We were told they are here to refuel. They've been here since Sunday," Mangalindan said. (Minerva S. Zamora)

May 30, 2001, Sun Star, Cebu store, bank in Bohol robbed,

CEBU -- TWO separate robberies were pulled off Tuesday in Cebu and in Bohol, ending with the death of two young men and the loss of some P3 million.

Armed with a knife and gun, two men walked into a hardware store on Escario st., Cebu city past 5 p.m. and threatened to kill all those inside if they resisted.

The men, using lengths of plastic straw, then tied up Brian Go, 28, son of one of the co-owners of Filmon Hardware Inc., his cousins John Clement Go Jr., 20, Kathy Go, 17, Karen, 12, and employe Elizer Gacasan.

John, whose hands and legs were tied, was dragged to the stockroom, while his sisters Karen and Kathy, and Brian were taken to another side of the store. Gacasan was also separated from the group.

After that, the men took the P1,000 from the cash box but, finding the amount too small, demanded more. But since the outlet is only a showroom, it did not have much money.

Without any warning, the robbers slashed John's neck with a hunting knife, almost severing his head. A belt was also tied around his neck.

The men, aged between 25 and 30, also strangled Brian. Police took the 28-year-old to Chong Hua Hospital, where he died about 8 last night.

Brian was supposed to get married soon. His fiancee is expected to arrive from Canada today.

Two hours after they first entered the Filmon showroom, the two men left aboard Brian's gold Toyota Corolla (GJR 233), said Fuente Police Chief Audie Villacin. They took 12-year-old Karen with them.

According to the Mobile Patrol Group, one of those who were tied up managed to get out of the showroom. A security guard of an adjacent store at the Capitol Commercial Complex who saw the person alerted the police.

A relative, who went to the crime scene, was the one who found Brian's car near Tanchan Servitek in Capitol Site, just a few meters from the store.

Karen, who was still tied up, was inside the car. She was immediately taken to the hospital. She suffered bruises in the face.

Med students

Earlier, in Talibon, Bohol, seven men disguised as medical students held up the Land Bank at 1:45 p.m. yesterday and ran off with some P3 million.

The robbers, six of them young-looking, are believed to be Cebuanos, according to the information officer of Talibon town Roldan Monalim, in a radio dyLA interview.

Two of the robbers were believed to have come from Pasil, Cebu city. They rented a pumpboat for P8,000 at noon of Monday.

Talibon is about 114 kilometers northeast of Tagbiliran city. It lies across Pasil.

Three of the men entered the bank and announced the holdup while four of them stayed outside as lookouts. They hogtied the security guard and covered his mouth with masking tape.

The employes and bank clients were locked inside the comfort room while the robbers ordered Oliver Tabique Jr., the bank manager, to open the vault.

After about 10 minutes, they left the bank aboard a habal-habal (motorcycle-for-hire) and went to Bagacay wharf where the pumpboat from Pasil was anchored. The pumpboat had a crew of six.

Policemen arrived just when the robbers, who were armed with handguns and a shotgun, left.

After an exchange of fire, two of the six crewmembers jumped off and were caught by police.

One of suspects, Alexander Pintor, 33, was wounded in the right arm and is being treated at the Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital.

His companion Pedro Jabonero, 45, was unharmed and is now under the custody of the police.

A woman crewmember was reportedly wounded but was left on the boat.

They claimed they were only hired by the seven men and had no idea their clients were robbers.

The boat is owned by Ronnie Anco of Cuaming, Inabanga, Bohol.

Anco's wife was in Cebu Monday to deliver fish when two men approached her and asked to rent the boat to Bohol and back to Cebu for P8,000.

She brought the two to Cuaming and yesterday morning, the two were ferried to Talibon. She said the boat's crew waited at the wharf until the two men came back in the afternoon with their companions, who seemed to be in a hurry.

The police, aboard a pumpboat, tried to pursue the robbers, who were said to be heading for Cebu.

Maritime police blocked the channels where boats pass in entering Cebu harbor.

As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, pursuit operations were still ongoing. There were reports that the robbers were intercepted near Kabul-an island, but these are yet to be confirmed.

Helicopters of the Visayas Command also helped but their search proved fruitless.

Police will have their hands full going after the bank robbers and the two men who held up Filmon store.

Supt. Villacin said that aside from robbery, they are looking into the possibility that the attack was done out of revenge. He pointed out that it is not usual for robbers to stay for more than two hours at a crime scene.

The brutal killing of John and Brian, who were already tied up, also does not fit the pattern.

The police also said it seems the suspects knew the sons of the owners, as they reportedly looked for them when they entered the showroom.

They will be following up leads from the items found at the store, including a revolver, bonnet, worn-out pair of slippers, dried tobacco leaves, as well as fingerprints taken from Brian's car.

All the police units in the city responded to the alarm. Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Chief Alejandro Lapinid and officials from the National Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, special anti-crime group, Police Regional Office 7 and the special units of the CCPO.

Filmon's owners, Edmund and his brother Clement Go, are said to be close friends of President Arroyo. With Pergen Soquillo of Superbalita,

May 30, 2001, Sun Star Zamboanga, Sayyaf not yet in Basilan, Sulu: military,

ZAMBOANGA -- The Abu Sayyaf bandits who seized on Sunday 20 people, including three Americans, have not yet reached the island provinces of Basilan or Sulu, a top official said. This despite claims made Monday by Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Asmad Salayudi alias Abu Sabaya that they had divided the hostages into two groups and are separately held in captivity in Basilan and Sulu provinces.

"Hanggang ngayon wala pa tayong positive information sa whereabout ng Abu Sayyaf. Alam natin they are stranded in Mapun," said Lt. Gen. Gregorio Camiling, Jr., commander of Southern Command. "We are not conforming or denying it, but so far reports from our sources wala pang nag-landing," Camiling added. Mapun is situated southwest of this city.

He said the claim of Sabaya was apparently to mislead government authorities, both the military and Police, who are tracking the bandits in a bid to recover the 20 hostages. Sabaya even allowed tow of the 20 hostages to talk Monday over RMN-Zamboanga to prove his claim that the hostages are in their hands. Those who were allowed to talk were American Martin Burnham and Filipino Luis Raul de Guzman Recio.

"We know the capability of the satellite phone. Anywhere you are, you can contact," he said. The Southcom chief said they have implemented a contingency plan with ground troopers scouring the provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu and Basilan while 11 Naval patrol gunboats were deployed on a blockade position.

Ground troopers were likewise deployed to scour all islands around the three provinces. "I directed my field units to check on areas which are probable landing sites," Camiling said. Two Army battalions were also sent to Panglima Estino town in Sulu province following reports from civilians that a fastcraft had landed in the place. The fastcraft arrived around 10 am Monday in the coastal barangay of Sulud Goloba, Panglima Estino. "The hostages are still intact, but this is not yet confirmed," said Sulu police director Supt. Candido Casimiro, Jr. Meanwhile, the Moro National Liberation Fron (MNLF) has joined the military in the search for the Abu Sayyaf and the hostages in the province of Sulu.

MNLF Chief of Staff Yusop Jikiri, who won in the gubernatorial race in Sulu, had ordered MNLF fighters to monitor and determine the exact location of the bandits and to rescue the hostages. "As of now my men are still searching where the group is. I have yet to receive a report," Jikiri said.

May 30, 2001, Inquirer News Service, Estrada backs Macapagal vs Palawan hostage takers, Donna Cueto and Leoncio Balbin Jr. Posted: 11:47 PM (Manila Time)

THE ABU Sayyaf abduction of 20 people from a Palawan resort is turning out to be a replay of last year’s hostage drama.

At least two major players in the Sulu hostage crisis are trying to make a comeback of sorts.

Deposed President Joseph Estrada, who had sent a team of negotiators to talk with the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas that abducted 21 people from the Malaysian resort of Sipadan 13 months ago, yesterday issued a statement giving his assessment of the Palawan kidnapping.

He said the "multinationality and culture of the Sipadan hostages" and the "circumstances of their abduction" were different from the Palawan abduction that "may require a different solution."

While the Sipadan hostages were mostly foreigners, 17 of the Palawan hostages are Filipinos and three are Americans.

President Macapagal-Arroyo, earlier noted that the hefty ransom paid to the Abu Sayyaf for the Sipadan hostages had been used by the bandits to buy more powerful firearms and motorboats.

One of those who negotiated for the Sipadan hostages’ release, retired Army Col. Ernesto "Dragon" Pacuño, yesterday expressed willingness to negotiate again with the Abu Sayyaf.

"If I will be called, I will do it in the service of the country," said Pacuño.

Pacuño, who ran and lost in the May 14 gubernatorial race in Abra, predicted that the bandits would be making their ransom demand soon.

"I could not see any reason they did it (take hostages) except for money, specially with the inclusion of foreigners," he said.

Pacuño’s wife is a relative of Abu Sayyaf leader Galib Andang, alias Commander Robot.

Estrada, in his first public statement since he was arrested and jailed on plunder charges, said the Palawan kidnapping "once again brought embarrassment to our country."

He called on Filipinos to "rise above political bickering and unite to support our police authorities to hasten the resolution of this problem."

"This is not a basketball game nor a political propaganda campaign. What is at stake here are people’s lives and the reputation of our country in the eyes of the global community," Estrada said.

"Monday morning quarterbacking will not save the lives of the hostages," he said, likening critics of the government’s approach to post-game, armchair analysis of American football weekend matches.

He backed moves by the Macapagal administration to hunt down the bandits.

He also appealed to members of media to restrain themselves in their coverage of the incident and to cooperate with the government so it could conduct an "unhampered rescue operation."

Not to be outdone, Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn yesterday offered himself as hostage in exchange for the freedom of the 20 hostages.

Hagedorn, an Estrada ally, predicted that the guerrillas would be making their ransom offer during a radio interview with Bombo Radyo from Makati City.

He said he decided to offer himself as hostage after hearing the plea of the mother of one of the hostages.
Benilda Morales, mother of Eldrin Morales who was one of the security guards abducted by the Abu Sayyaf, had begged the kidnappers to release her son.

Eldrin, 22, a native of Banga town, was an automotive graduate of the Aklan Polytechnic Institute in Kalibo. He had been working as security guard of the Dos Palmas resort for four years.

His brother, Jose Morales, is an Air Force sergeant based in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Hagedorn assured Eldrin’s mother that he would provide financial and moral support to the hostage’s family.

He said he was also willing to shoulder Benilda’s traveling expenses if she wanted to go to Puerto Princesa to closely monitor the hostage situation. Hagedorn ran for Palawan governor in the May 14 elections and lost.

May 30, 2001, AFP, Philippines enlists vigilante groups to hunt kidnap group, Wednesday, 1:45 p.m.,

MANILA--The military on Wednesday roped in vigilante groups wooed by huge bounty to track down Abu Sayyaf Muslim rebels holding 20 hostages as a media clampdown drew a curtain over the manhunt.

Military spokesman Brigadier General Edilberto Adan said the government knew there were armed groups who could assist in going after the Abu Sayyaf.

"If they see an opportunity and they want to make a go of it, the government will not stop them," he said.

Earlier this week, President Gloria Arroyo offered a P100 million-(U.S.$2 million) bounty for the leaders and members of the Abu Sayyaf group who kidnapped 17 Filipinos and three Americans from a resort off Palawan on Sunday.

Adan stressed in a radio interview that the authorities were "not encouraging vigilantism" and that any group planning to pursue the Abu Sayyaf would have to coordinate with the military or police to avoid accidental clashes with government forces.

There are many armed groups in the southern Philippines where the notorious Abu Sayyaf guerillas are based.

The whereabouts of the hostages has not been determined yet by the authorities, although the Abu Sayyaf claimed they are being held in the southern Philippine islands of Basilan and Jolo.

Adan said that to collect the reward, a person needs to only provide information leading to the capture of the Abu Sayyaf members and need not physically bring them in.

Among the various private armed groups in the southern islands where the Abu Sayyaf operate are former Muslim separatist rebels who signed a peace agreement with the government in 1996 and the armed followers of local political warlords.

"They are not enemies of the government. We know they exist there and they do not fight the government. They are not rebels," Adan said without giving specifics.

"This is their chance to prove themselves."

Adan said the kidnappers and their hostages were last sighted two days ago in a boat speeding away from the remote island of Mapun, also known as Cagayan de Tawi-tawi, heading for the southern island chain of Sulu, the known territory of the Abu Sayyaf.

However he said they had not yet found any sign of the kidnappers or their hostages in the southern islands.

On Tuesday, President Arroyo imposed a media blackout on the operations against the kidnappers, saying that news reports could jeopardize their pursuit while increased publicity would embolden the rebels.

Military and police sources, who usually speak freely on counter-insurgency operations, were tight-lipped following the order, with Adan as the designated spokesman on the military pursuit of the kidnappers.

Troops continue to scour the islands of Sulu and nearby Basilan, the known haunts of the Abu Sayyaf, for the hostages and their captives.

Military sources in the south said that Armed Forces chief Diomedio Villanueva, who has been put in charge of the manhunt, had departed for the southern islands of Sulu early Wednesday but the purpose of his trip was not revealed.

An Abu Sayyaf spokesman, Abu Sabaya warned in a telephone call to a local radio station on Tuesday, that they would carry out "mass killings" of their hostages if a military assault was launched against them.

He earlier said that half the hostages, including American Christian missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, longtime Philippine residents originally from Kansas, and Californian Guillermo Sobero were being held in the island of Basilan while the rest were being held in the Sulu islands

The government however has expressed skepticism of his claim, saying it might be a diversionary tactic. (AFP)

May 30, 2001, AFP, US offers aid to RP over kidnapping crisis
Wednesday, 1:52 a.m.,

MANILA-Philippine and U.S. officials are discussing ways of cooperating to free 17 Filipinos and three Americans kidnapped by Moro guerrillas, a military spokesman said Wednesday.

"We will explore what areas of cooperation in information and intelligence gathering" can be engaged in, Brigadier General Edilberto Adan said, adding that the talks were on a high level.

Adan said the United States was not offering any military equipment to be used in pursuing the Abu Sayyaf Muslim guerrillas who seized the 20 hostages from a resort off the western island of Palawan on Sunday.

The U.S. government was only looking into "what they can possibly provide by way of information assistance."

He did not say what information the United States could have on the Abu Sayyaf, which has been kidnapping foreigners and Christians in the southern Philippines for years.

U.S. embassy spokesmen could not be contacted for comment.

In Zamboanga city, near the Abu Sayyaf's area of operations, deputy military chief Colonel Joey Mendoza also said there were "ongoing talks between the Philippine and U.S. government, possibly for help."

Asked if the United States would provide satellite tracking to local forces hunting the Abu Sayyaf, Mendoza only replied, "that would be a big help."

Adan also said U.S. FBI agents were monitoring developments in the kidnapping but stressed that this was "standard procedure" whenever an American was kidnapped or attacked abroad.

The U.S. State Department on Tuesday called for the immediate release of the hostages.

This came after a spokesman for the guerrillas threatened to kill some of the 20 hostages when Philippine President Gloria Arroyo ruled out ransom payments and sent the military after them.

The U.S. government also reiterated its policy against paying ransom, and insisted the Filipino government "has the lead in resolving this."

Earlier in the day, the daughter of US national Guillermo Sobero, one of those being held hostage by the guerrillas, called on President George W. Bush for help.

"I want President Bush to do something about this," Aimee Sobrero told ABC television.

The kidnappers are also holding American Christian missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, originally from Kansas. (AFP)

May 30, 2001, AFP, Philippine free press confronts hostage crisis clampdown,
Wednesday, 1:54 a.m.,

MANILA-The feisty Philippine media was coming to terms Wednesday with an unusual news blackout on the offensive against Abu Sayyaf Muslim rebels holding three American and 17 Filipino hostages, editors said.

In ordering the media clampdown on Tuesday, President Arroyo urged journalists to steer clear of areas of operations, saying details would be withheld to ensure that the hostage rescue operation was not undermined.

"I think we are just going to cooperate to a certain extent for the safety of the hostages but we are not going to be gagged," Letty Magsanoc, editor-in-chief of the mass circulation Philippine Daily Inquirer, told AFP.

She said the news blackout might be the first imposed on the Philippine media since the martial law days under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was ousted in 1986.

The Philippines press is considered one of the freest in Asia.

But many media executives largely agreed that the media clampdown on the military blitz against the Abu Sayyaf was not a curtailment of their freedom.

"Press freedom does not give reporters the right to get in the way of legitimate anti-crime operations," declared the Today newspaper, which has among the hardest hitting editorials.

"Moreover, they cannot cross military boundaries and then denounce the government after they find their human-interest stories threatening their own lives," it said.

Magsanoc of the Inquirer said her newspaper would "keep reporting what is happening -- good or bad" on the kidnap saga but its journalists would stay away from areas which the military had designated as dangerous.

Arroyo had also appealed to the local press not to interview leaders and members of the Abu Sayyaf who have been using largely the broadcast media to keep the public informed of their whereabouts and the fate of the hostages.

"It's not a patriotic act to give them (rebels) a forum," said Arroyo at a news conference Tuesday before she met local media executives for cocktails in her palace to enlist their support in her moves against the Abu Sayyaf.

The Manila Standard newspaper, in a front page editorial, said it "supported with not one iota of doubt or guilt the calls to still the voice of this bandit group."

"We will not be tools of a handful of megalomaniac pirates and highwaymen taking advantage of the freedom of the press that we hold dear," it said.

But Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), the only radio station used by the Abu Sayyaf so far on the hostage crisis, said it would continue to entertain calls from the guerrillas, whose whereabouts are still not certain.

"The position of our company is that we respect the news blackout in terms of military operations as the authorities have promised the media that there will be military briefings every day," RMN station manager Rey Bayoging said.

"But we will continue to make all our equipment available to the Abu Sayyaf if they want to go on air," he told AFP.

"The safety of the hostages is our main concern. But we will not be able to talk to the hostages and find out how they are doing if we don't talk to the Abu Sayyaf," he explained.

Bayoging last year went deep into the jungles of Mindanao to interview Abu Sayyaf leaders holding about 50 teachers hostage in southern Basilan island.

Later, the rebels beheaded two of their captives while the others were released or rescued by the military.

Last year, when the Abu Sayyaf abducted 21 mostly foreign hostages from Malaysia and brought them to their stronghold in the southern Philippines, local and foreign journalists scrambled to their lairs to report the drama.

Some managed to get exclusive interviews and pictures of the hostages and rebels but more than a dozen foreign and local journalists were themselves held captive by the group. Their satellite phones and other equipment were seized. (AFP)

May 30, 2001, AFP, US calls for immediate release of hostages held by Abu Sayyaf, by P. Parameswaran,

WASHINGTON-The United States on Tuesday called for the immediate release of some 20 hostages kidnapped by Moro guerrillas from an island resort.

"All of the hostages should be released immediately, safely and unconditionally," said State Department spokesman Phil Reeker.

Abu Sayyaf Muslim guerrillas on Tuesday threatened to kill some 20 U.S. and Filipino hostages after President Arroyo ruled out ransom payments and sent the military after them.

The gunmen have not issued any demands for the hostages they seized Sunday from the Dos Palmas resort in Arrecife island off Palawan and are holding at an unknown area.

"The United States roundly condemns this latest act of terrorism by this group, and we remain in close touch with the government of the Philippines about the matter, Reeker said.

He reiterated the U.S. policy against paying ransom, and insisted the Filipino government "has the lead in resolving this."

The captives include American Christian missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, longtime Philippine residents originally from Kansas, and American national Guillermo Sobero.

"Please accept my sympathy in your hour of anxiety and grief," Arroyo said in a message addressed to the relatives of the hostages.

"We are doing everything in our power to rescue your loved ones."

The self-styled Islamic independence fighters beheaded two Filipino captives during another kidnapping spree in the south last year during which they held nearly a hundred captives at one point.

They also killed a hostage Roman Catholic priest during a military rescue attempt.

Last year's captives, held in Basilan and Jolo islands, included 21 western tourists seized from the Malaysian resort of Sipadan, school teachers and students from Basilan, and journalists who went to Jolo to cover the crisis.

Most of the foreigners were ransomed off for millions of dollars over four months, while the rest were freed after the military attacked their Jolo and Basilan bases. The gunmen still hold one Filipino captive from the Sipadan raid.

But Arroyo in a television statement warned the kidnappers to free their captives and again ruled out any ransom payments. "It would do you good to release your hostages while there is still time. If not, we will rain bullets on you," she said.

A similar incident was foiled with the loss of several Filipino lives at a resort on Samal Island on May 22. (AFP)

I thought Guillermo's three children were preschool age? Could this be one of his partners in his irregular sexuality, here posing---in the worst possible taste---as female offspring?

May 30, 2001, AFP, Daughter of US national held by Abu Sayyaf appeals to Bush for help, Wednesday, 9:52 a.m.,

Daughter of US national held by Abu Sayyaf appeals to Bush for help

WASHINGTON-The daughter of a U.S. national being held hostage by Filipino Muslim guerrillas on Tuesday called on President George W. Bush for help.

"I want President Bush to do something about this," Aimee Sobero told ABC television.

"I know he can do it," she said, speaking from Cathedral City, California.

Guillermo Sobero is one of 20 US and Filipino hostages that Abu Sayyaf Muslim guerrillas on Tuesday threatened to kill after President Arroyo ruled out ransom payments and sent the military after them.

The gunmen have not issued any demands for the hostages they seized Sunday from the western island resort of Dos Palmas and are holding at an unknown area.

"We haven't heard from Guillermo at all. We don't even know if he is alive," said the hostage's brother, Alberto Sobero, who added that his family had not been contacted by US authorities.

"We are worried. We haven't slept in three days," he said.

Another brother, Pablo Sobero, on Tuesday was on his way to the Philippines via Puerto Rico, he said.

The captives include American Christian missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, longtime Philippine residents originally from Kansas.

"Please accept my sympathy in your hour of anxiety and grief," Arroyo said in a message addressed to the relatives of the hostages.

"We are doing everything in our power to rescue your loved ones."

The self-styled Islamic independence fighters beheaded two Filipino captives during another kidnapping spree in the south last year during which they held nearly a hundred captives at one point.

They also killed a hostage Roman Catholic priest during a military rescue attempt.

"It would do you good to release your hostages while there is still time. If not, we will rain bullets on you," Arroyo warned the kidnappers in a television statement while again ruling out any ransom payments.

Last year's captives, held in Basilan and Jolo islands, included 21 western tourists seized from the Malaysian resort of Sipadan, school teachers and students from Basilan, and journalists who went to Jolo to cover the crisis.

Most of the foreigners were ransomed off for millions of dollars over four months, while the rest were freed after the military attacked their Jolo and Basilan bases. The gunmen still hold one Filipino captive from the Sipadan raid. (AFP)

May 30, 2001, AFP, Broadcaster slain in Zamboanga city, Wednesday, 9:54 a.m.,

ZAMBOANGA CITY-A local radio broadcaster was shot dead on his way to work on the outskirts of this city early Wednesday, police said.

Candelario Cayona, 29, a hard-hitting commentator for radio station dxLL was ambushed in the Canelar district of Zamboanga.

Police said they had no suspects and no arrests had been made. No group has claimed responsibility for the killing.

Associates said Cayona won many enemies with his critical commentary on local politicians as well as Moro guerrillas operating around Zamboanga.

At one time, they said, he was threatened on air by Abu Sabaya, spokesman for the guerrilla group Abu Sayyaf. (AFP)

May 30, 2001, AP / Washington Post, U.S. Offers Aid in Finding Hostages, by Adam Brown, Wednesday, 10:39 p.m. EDT,

MANILA, Philippines –– The U.S. government has offered to help the Philippines search for 20 hostages snatched from an idyllic beach resort, military officials said Thursday, adding that what they need is high-tech equipment to hunt the rebels at night and from the air.

The Muslim guerrillas from a group known as Abu Sayyaf and their captives were last seen Monday, when two fishermen who were taken hostage jumped overboard and escaped, said military spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said.

The fishermen saw the hostages – including three who are Americans, Adan said. He said the men had no information on the hostages' conditions.

The United States and the Philippines have talked about the United States loaning surveillance equipment to find the Abu Sayyaf rebels who fled toward a remote string of dozens of islands after raiding a western Philippine resort Sunday.

"What we need now is any assistance on information gathering or intelligence gathering," Adan said.

Adan said Thursday that his military lacks aerial and nighttime reconnaissance capability – not troops.

"What is needed here is information," he said.

U.S. Embassy official were not immediately available for comment. But Michael Malinowski, charge d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Manila, said after meeting with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that the two sides were talking about how to cooperate.

About 24 members of the Abu Sayyaf, which has made millions of dollars in the past by kidnapping foreigners, raided the Dos Palmas resort before dawn Sunday, taking 17 Filipino and three American hostage and speeding southward in high-powered boats. They also abducted five fishermen to help guide and resupply but the two escaped and three others were later released, Adan said.

Adan said civilians reported sighting the Abu Sayyaf captors and the hostages on the extreme southern island of Jolo – the Abu Sayyaf base – but soldiers have not been able to verify the reports.

The last verified sighting was Monday, on the remote southwestern island of Cagayan de Tawi Tawi, when the two fishermen jumped ship. They told the military that the guerrillas were running low on food and fuel, Adan said.

Cagayan de Tawi Tawi lies between the Palawan island group where the hostages were seized and the Jolo island group.

Abu Sayyaf claims it split the hostages into two groups that were taken to separate provinces. The search will be extremely complex, as the area where the Abu Sayyaf operates is scattered with more than 60 islands.

The Abu Sayyaf threatened Tuesday to kill all hostages if the military makes any rescue attempt.

Adan said the military wants to prevent the rebels from reaching Jolo island, keep the group intact and mount a rescue operation.

The Abu Sayyaf, which claims to be fighting for a separate Muslim state in this predominantly Roman Catholic country, has not made any ransom demands since Sunday. Thirteen months ago, however, it seized 10 foreign tourists from a Malaysian resort and most were released for large ransoms, reportedly paid by Libya.

The Abu Sayyaf has used last year's ransoms to acquire more advanced equipment, such as high-speed boats and high-tech communications equipment, Adan said.

The government has offered $2 million in rewards for the capture of Abu Sayyaf leaders and members.

May 30, 2001, Inquirer Editorial, Folly of payoffs,

NO ransom is going to be paid in exchange for the release of the 20 hostages who were abducted Sunday by the Abu Sayyaf from the Dos Palmas Arreceffi Island Resort near Puerto Princesa. In fact, there will be no negotiations about payment of ransom, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Monday. Instead, the government is putting up a P100-million reward for those who can provide information leading to the arrest of the leaders and members of the criminal group. Addressing the Abu Sayyaf directly, Ms Macapagal warned that the government intended to "finish what you started" by meeting "force with force" and matching "arms with arms."

It would be extremely difficult to argue against such a tough no-ransom policy. The payment of ransom, as every government has discovered, only serves to whet the desires of kidnappers, be they rebels, which the Abu Sayyaf members pretend to be, or simply greedy criminals, which they really are. Indeed the nation’s experience with the criminal band provides a perfect example of the tragic folly of paying off kidnappers.

In April last year, several Abu Sayyaf members raided Sipadan Island in Malaysia and abducted 21 Western tourists and Malaysian staff members of a plush resort. In Jolo and Basilan where they brought their hostages, the Abu Sayyaf grabbed almost everyone who wandered into their hiding places, including Filipino and foreign journalists and evangelists, so that by the time the crisis blew over, the bandits had held a total of 53 victims at one time or the other.

In the meantime, government representatives, led by Flagship Projects Secretary Robert Aventajado, were secretly negotiating the monetary terms for the release of hostages while publicly denying that the payment of ransom was being discussed. And in a very puzzling move, they agreed to negotiate the release of the hostages in batches instead of working for the release of all the hostages as a group. The result was predictable. The Abu Sayyaf escalated its ransom demands almost after it released a hostage or a group. Thus while it accepted a P1-million ransom for the freedom of 10 foreign journalists early in June, it wouldn’t settle for anything less than P20 million for the release of a Malaysian national more than one month later. For the release of four other Malaysian hostages, it raised its asking price a little bit by demanding--and getting--P90 million. After that, the going rate was $1 million for every Western hostage, so that by the time most of the hostages had been freed in September, the Abu Sayyaf was estimated to have earned anywhere between P500 million and P800 million for providing "board and lodging" to dozens of unwilling foreign and Filipino guests.

The utter failure of the strategy of negotiating and giving ransom was to be exposed in a variety of ways. With most of the hostages from Sipadan out of the way and several European governments no longer pressuring Philippine officials to cut deals with the kidnappers, the government was finally able to unleash its armed forces against the Abu Sayyaf. The result was that the remaining hostages were able to escape as the Abu Sayyaf retreated: first, two French journalists and then weeks later, born-again preacher Wilde Almeda and a handful of his followers. Much later in April this year, it was American Jeffrey Schilling’s turn to be rescued in the middle of an intensified government offensive against the Abu Sayyaf.

But as they say, he who fights and runs away lives to fight another day. And in the raid on Dos Palmas, the Abu Sayyaf showed that it was far from beaten and that it had in fact become more brazen, with all the powerful weapons and the superior equipment it has acquired. The raid was carried out with cunning and military precision by a band of criminals who were confident that their boat, powered by three Volvo engines, could outrun the fastest seacraft the Philippine Navy could send after them. The Abu Sayyaf apparently undertook a modernization program with part of the multimillion-peso ransom money it earned last year, courtesy of the Estrada administration’s policy of capitulation to both the Abu Sayyaf and foreign governments whose sole interest was to get their nationals back safe no matter the consequences.

But this time the Abu Sayyaf may have overreached itself. Its prize hostages are Americans and their government adheres to a no-ransom policy as the Schilling case shows. And now it is dealing with an administration that has apparently learned from the mistakes of its predecessor.

With both sides exchanging threats, there is no telling when and how this crisis will be resolved.

May 30, 2001, Inquirer Op-Ed, Isolate them, by Conrado de Quiros,

I REMEMBER again the Baclayon Church in Bohol, half an hour's ride from the capital, Tagbilaran. Put up by the Jesuits in the 17th century, it had to be abandoned soon afterward because of raids by the Moros. It was near the sea, which offered the community that had grown around the church a great livelihood but also made it vulnerable to piratical depredation.

The pirates, riding fast-moving vintas, would materialize from the haze of early morning and sack the villages, raping, murdering, and pillaging. Unable to defend their faithful from those raids, notwithstanding that their Church bore signs of ample fortification, the Jesuits decided to move back inland. It was only during the 19th century, when the raids stopped, due to the Spanish campaign in Mindanao, that they went back to the old church by the sea, which by then had been overrun by nature, and rebuilt it.

Tagbilaran itself, as I would learn when I was there last year, comes from the words tago and bilaan--the first meaning to hide and the second meaning pirates. The name of Bohol's capital means to hide from pirates.

The fear of the seafaring marauders wasn't confined to Bohol. It was shared by the Christian community in all of the Visayas in the 17th and 18th centuries. Carigara, a town in Leyte, celebrates the feast of the Holy Cross because it ascribes its deliverance from Moro pirates at one point to the miraculous appearance of a cross in the horizon. With that, the skies darkened, the waters tossed, and the would-be marauders swiftly departed, fearing to take on heaven as much as earth. Many other places in the Visayas have similar stories.

I remembered all this in light of the Abu Sayyaf's lightning raid on Dos Palmas Resort in Palawan last Sunday. This is the first time the Abu Sayyaf has ventured this far north.

Up until then, they had confined their kidnapping activities only to the Basilan area and the Borneo border. Clearly, none of the sound and fury Erap unleashed in Mindanao last year have served to dampen their spirits, or reduced their capacity for embarking on this enterprise. On the contrary, that they have dared to go up north must show that they have been greatly emboldened by their successes in the past. And monumentally capacitated: everyone was asking then where all the dollars that were falling into their coffers would go. They had become the most successful kidnap gang in the country, though they would deny it and say the gang headed by Erap and Robert Aventajado were even more successful. This raid answers it. The Abu Sayyaf has gotten bigger and bolder.

So what's their next target, Boracay?

Their raid on Dos Palmas is just the sort of thing to stoke back to a raging flame the embers of passionate resentment against Muslims that you'll find in the Visayas and in the predominantly Christian parts of Mindanao. The memory of the piratical raids of old has by no means been erased by time, though it has been greatly diminished. It lives in rituals and skits that are essentially variations of the moro-moro, which was the dramatic vehicle for teaching Christianity the friars used, depicting Christians as angels and the Muslims as devils. The Sandugo festival of Bohol is replete with skits, performed with much color and fanfare by the kids, representing the struggle between God and the devil, good and evil, as the physical struggle between Christians and Muslims. Many parts of the Visayas have similar cultural presentations.

It's worse in Mindanao. A friend of mine who grew up in Zamboanga testifies to the extent of anti-Muslim sentiment there. He grew up harboring nothing but contempt for them, a sentiment he lost only when he got to Manila.

Which was good, he said, because quite ironically he would go on to work for several years in Saudi Arabia.

The Abu Sayyaf raid on Dos Palmas threatens to blow the lid off again on anti-Muslim bigotry. But that is something government may not allow to happen this time. The Abu Sayyaf is not the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, even though they probably have cordial and even warm relations, the way the PLO and the IRA have with various Palestinian and Irish terrorist groups. And certainly the Abu Sayyaf is not the people of Muslim Mindanao, however its raids conjure the long-held image of Moros as a piratical lot. To crush the Abu Sayyaf, you have to isolate it. You do not isolate it by waging a war of attrition against the MILF and the Muslim Mindanaoans, calling them coddlers of the Abu Sayyaf. You do that, and you throw the Abu Sayyaf straight into their arms. You do that and you turn the Abu Sayyaf's fight for survival into the MILF’s and the Muslim people’s fight for survival.

That was exactly what Erap did, which proved disastrous for the nation while proving immensely beneficial for his protégés in the Puwersa ng Masa. Of course, his all-out war on Muslim Mindanao and not just on the Abu Sayyaf was popular with the Christians in the Visayas and Mindanao. Jingoistic wars often are, preying as they do on the fears and prejudices of the public. That was what made the American colonial venture popular with the American public, too, notwithstanding America’s anti-imperialist tradition, stoking as it did, with much help from Randolph Hearst, racist attitudes toward people that were presumed to have tails and live on trees. As the Abu Sayyaf raid on Dos Palmas show, Erap's approach is wrong not only in that it was unenlightened but in that it didn't work. It hasn’t crushed the Abu Sayyaf, it has made it stronger.

I applaud wholeheartedly President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's tough stance. Nothing less is needed against the Abu Sayyaf. But the President might also wish to consider giving the most strenuous assurances that the government means to go all out only against the Abu Sayyaf and not against Muslim Mindanao. The President might also wish to consider giving strenuous assurances that her plans for Muslim Mindanao will be the exact opposite of the nightmare her immediate predecessor sprung on it last year. The President might also wish to consider giving strong assurances that the Moro raids of the 17th and 18th centuries are a thing of the past and will never come to haunt us again. The point is to isolate the Abu Sayyaf, to excise it from the body that is Muslim Mindanao. The point is not to allow it to grow inside that body like a cancer.

Nothing less than an equally tough stance for peace for the rest of the region would do.

May 30 2001, Inquirer Letter, Convenient excuse, Sotico T. LLoren, president APAP

ON APRIL 27, 2000, I wrote an article, titled "Sense in misery," which was published in a major daily. I touched on two important points: the clamor for the inclusion of independent investigators in the ongoing probe of the Air Philippines crash near Davao and the need to create a government agency similar to the US National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) to ensure impartial investigation of accidents. For whatever reason, they were ignored. The government simply created an Independent Investigation Committee to investigate the crash.

The committee concluded that the probable cause was the flight crew’s loss of situational awareness which resulted in a controlled flight into terrain and failure to adhere to the instrument approach procedures of the airport, flying visually in an instrument flying condition. All the rest were merely contributory factors.

To pilots, the frequency of "pilot error" findings are a source of constant concern and exasperation. Could the truth ever emerge from such investigations? Perhaps, but among the fatal accidents in our country, "pilot error" looks like only a most convenient excuse; not once was probable cause attributed to specific areas of responsibility, like poor maintenance, lack of airport facilities, poorly trained personnel, or even a defective aircraft.

How safe really is the B737-200? In a magazine article, the NTSB declared that all is not well as far as the B737 rudders are concerned. More than 3,000 B737s are flying with the appalling distinction of being the only jet airliner in service with a fault to cause them to crash. In fact, the NTSB article detailed 112 "rudder events" on 737s in the past 20 years. It said there were two air accidents worth mentioning: United B737-200 in Colorado Springs Airport (1991), as well as USAir jet in Pittsburgh Airport (1994). Both flights were making landing approaches close to the ground and at speeds too slow to give pilots effective aileron inputs or other procedures for recovering control of the aircraft-and both rolled sharply to one side and dived at a steep angle, killing all passengers aboard.

I strongly believe that whatever happened to Air Philippine Flight 541, where all 131 passengers and crew died, could not have been caused by "pilot error." The dissenting opinion of one of the committee members speaks for itself: ". . . said conclusions were not supported by evidence." The mysterious black box that should have revealed all the secrets of the flight did not do so. How then could the committee have arrived at such wholesale determination?

That aircraft could very well be one of the defective B737s. But we will no longer know for sure now.

This highlights even more my second point: the need for an independent Air Safety Board. Otherwise, we will have to deal endlessly with ad hoc committees, agencies or airline companies investigating their own failures, and a jumbled wreck of incompletely verified conclusions once an accident happens again. The Airline Pilots Association again fully understands it can never diminish the pain and sorrow of losing a loved one. We are simply trying to reinject sense in the face of such incomprehensible misery.--SOTICO T. LLOREN, president, Airline Pilots Association of the Philippines, Andrews Avenue, Pasay City 1300

May 30, 2001, Inquirer News Service, US offers help in tracking Abu, by Martin P. Marfil,
Posted: 11:26 PM (Manila Time)

THE UNITED States yesterday rushed to the aid of the Philippine government in its battle of wits and nerves with Abu Sayyaf bandits who threatened to kill their three American and 17 Filipino hostages.

In a surprise meeting, US officials called on President Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacañang to discuss the latest kidnapping of the 20 hostages from the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan on Sunday.

"We look forward to working together on contacts at all levels, including military-to-military," Congressman Robert Underwood, who led the American team, said after the meeting. He did not give details.

US charge d'affaires Michael Malinowski described the meeting as "very good" but said details of the dialogue were confidential.

"It's an act of outrage that groups like these are taking innocent people. We hope to see the hostages released and this incident ended as soon as possible," Malinowski said.

Ernesto Maceda, former Philippine ambassador to Washington, said the US government was likely to again lend out its high-tech surveillance equipment in tracking down the kidnappers.

Maceda said Washington covertly provided Manila such technical assistance during the Sulu hostage crisis last year.

He described the surveillance equipment as "high-powered that can scan (jungles) from an aircraft."

Maceda disclosed that then Philippine National Police Director General Panfilo Lacson went to the United States last year to request for the surveillance equipment.

Because of the nature of the equipment, it was then US President Bill Clinton himself who had to approve the Philippine request, Maceda said.

"You can be sure, they (Americans) will assist in one way or another," he told a news forum in Manila.

Col. Joey Mendoza, a military spokesperson in Western Mindanao where the Abu Sayyaf operates, said US assistance through its satellite tracking system would be "a big help."

Washington

Washington has expressed keen interest in the case after an Abu Sayyaf spokesperson threatened Tuesday to kill some of the 20 hostages when Ms Macapagal ruled out negotiations and ransom payments.

She instead offered a P100-million price on the heads of the kidnappers and sent the military to go after them.

Hours later, the US state department called for the immediate release of all the captives and reiterated its policy of not paying ransom.

"All of the hostages should be released immediately, safely and unconditionally," Phil Reeker, US state department spokesperson, said in Washington.

He said Manila “has the lead in resolving” the hostage crisis.

Exploring 'areas of cooperation'

Earlier, the daughter of Guillermo Sobrero, one of the three American hostages, called on US President George W. Bush for help.

"I want President Bush to do something about this," Aimee Sobrero told ABC television.

The Abu Sayyaf bandits are also holding American Christian missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, longtime Philippine residents who were originally from Kansas.

Brig. General Edilberto Adan, Armed Forces spokesperson, said Manila and Washington were exploring possible "areas of cooperation in information and intelligence gathering."

Adan did not say what information the United States could have on the Abu Sayyaf, which has been kidnapping foreigners and Christians in Western Mindanao for years.

But he said the kidnapping of three Americans had prompted agents of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation to closely monitor the case.

Just standard procedure," Adan said of the FBI's move.

Senators

Senators welcomed the US offer to help the government in hunting down the kidnappers.

"That's inevitable, considering that Americans have been abducted. America usually goes out of its way to protect its citizens," Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said.

But Pimentel added US assistance should be limited to "technical support" and that Americans should not be allowed to take part in military ground operations.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Francisco Tatad agreed that the government should set restrictions on US involvement.

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, chair of the Senate committee on national security and defense, welcomed the use of US satellites--but not surveillance flights--in tracking down the kidnappers.

"We can run into problems with the Constitution," Biazon said, referring to its provision banning foreign troops in Philippine territory.

With reports from Dona Pazzibugan and Armand N. Nocum

May 30, 2001, Inquirer Op-Ed, Appeasement encouraged Palawan kidnapping, by Neal H. Cruz,

APPEASEMENT. That’s what caused the kidnapping of 20 tourists and employees of Dos Palmas Resort in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. When we paid ransom for the Sipadan hostages to appease their Abu Sayyaf kidnappers and made them instant millionaires, we encouraged more kidnappings. We showed that kidnapping pays. When government troops, upon orders from Malacañang, stopped chasing bandits and rebels in Mindanao to appease them enough so they would go to the conference table, that gave them a breathing spell to think about and plan another kidnapping.

Give an inch and your enemy demands a foot, the maxim goes. Invite rebels to talk peace and they demand that the talks be held abroad, say in Malaysia or the Netherlands. That gives them the opportunity to travel for free. Start appeasing them and they demand the return of their "camps," which is not theirs in the first place. You visit a detention prisoner to appease him and his followers, and they demand that he be allowed to stay in his own house instead.

Appeasement never did the appeaser any good. Former President Ramos and his generals tried to appease the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and the latter ended up with almost 50 big chunks of Philippine territory—which they called their "camps"—without firing a shot. Many soldiers died recovering them for the government. Ramos and his generals were professional soldiers trained to fight, but they did not want to fight. They preferred to talk instead. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain was afraid to fight, too, and preferred to appease Adolf Hitler. That only encouraged Hitler to plunge the world into World War II, resulting in the deaths of millions of people. The United States did not want to get involved in the war and preferred to talk peace with the Japanese. While they were still talking peace, Japan launched its sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.

Appeasement never does the appeaser any good. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo talked tough the other night and I applauded her for it. No ransom, she declared. But that was also what President Estrada said before his emissaries started secretly paying ransom to the Abu Sayyaf. Only, they did not call it "ransom" but "aid" and "lodging expenses" for the hostages.

The Chinese-Filipinos are favorite targets of kidnappers because they prefer to pay ransom rather than cooperate with the police.

We cannot blame them so much, however, as some of the kidnappers are policemen themselves.

But President Macapagal learns fast. She has decided to pay ransom herself—but not for the hostages but for the kidnappers: P5 million for their leader and P1 million each for his men. The money goes to any one of them who will betray his pals. They call this a "reward" but it is really a bribe. The President most likely learned this from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund for what they have offered to lend the Philippine government in exchange for the passage of the hated Power Reform Bill or Omnibus Power Bill. They call it a "loan" but it is really a bribe.

Speaking of the Power Reform Bill, they may be able to railroad it through Congress (there are many members of Congress—who like to be called "honorable"—who are ready, willing and able to accept what the IMF-WB are offering and betray their constituents) but they would be in the same hated class as the 11 pro-Erap senators who voted "no" in the impeachment trial.

Media should publish the names of those who vote for the Power Reform Bill so the people will engrave their names at the bottom of their toilet bowls and remember them every time they sit there.

Also, media should publish the names of those who vote against it so that we can engrave their names in our hearts.

From the public statements of the legislators as of this writing, we can already predict who would be immortalized in toilet bowls (Sen. John Osmeña, Representatives Arnulfo Fuentebella and Federico Sandoval are the first three who come to mind) and it would be fun to have a diarrhea epidemic after the voting.

We can also predict who would have a place in the hearts of the people (Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, Rep. Enrique Garcia and, perhaps, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, to begin with).

Still, I hope that the congressional railroad will run as badly as the Philippine National Railways and break down. Or that the legislators will suddenly have pangs of conscience and vote against the bill. For anybody, except the most greedy, selfish and merciless, can readily see that the bill, if passed, would be shameful. It would show to the world once more that the Philippine Congress is for sale. And quickly, too.

The present Congress can leave the bill to the incoming one to fine-tune, remove all the loopholes and objectionable provisions before passing it. But why are they in a hurry to betray the people and dishonor themselves?

May 30 2001, The Manila Times, GMA: Free hostages or face bullets, by Joel R. San Juan, Johnna Villaviray, Jeannette Andrade and Marian Trinidad

PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday threatened to "shower bullets" on the Abu Sayyaf group if it did not release its 20 hostages from the Dos Palmas beach resort in Palawan, even as she imposed a news blackout on the military's operations against the terrorists.

The Chief Executive also ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to put up "mini-camps" in all of the country's uninhabited islands, particularly in Mindanao, to prevent the Abu Sayyaf from using them as stopovers or hideouts.

Presidential spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao also told radio station dzMM that Malacañang remains open to negotiations with the terrorists for the safe release of all hostages, but stressed the talks will be limited to the release of the hostages and not touch on the payment of ransom. In her weekly press conference at Malacañang, Mrs. Arroyo said it would be better for the Abu Sayyaf to just release the hostages because they have no ransom money to look forward to.

"Free the hostages or bullets will shower on you," the President told the terrorists. She also said she was willing to increase the P100 million bounty the government is offering to those who can give vital information leading to the arrest of the kidnappers, despite criticism from several sectors that the huge bounty runs counter to her administration's austerity program.

The President said the reward was "well within the intelligence funds" of the military, and said the AFP would come up with rules and regulations regarding the bounty system. The United States, which is concerned for the safety of the three American missionaries among the hostages, also backed the President's tough stance against the Abu Sayyaf, saying it has never favored negotiating with terrorists. "We're open to dialogue without changing policy on no ransom payment…Still no deals, no concessions," US Embassy spokesman Tom Skipper said. During the Sipadan hostage crisis last year, US authorities here were adamant against participating in the series of negotiations that led to American citizen Jeffrey Schilling's release.

Vigilante groups in

However, in an apparent sign of weakness, the AFP welcomed the assistance of vigilante groups in rescuing the hostages—a position the Philippine National Police (PNP) opposed. Banking on takers for the bounty offered by Malacañang for the capture of the Abu Sayyaf's top men, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said the vigilantes might be a big help to government efforts to recover the hostages.

"We welcome them (vigilantes), provided that they will coordinate with our ground commanders in our efforts to locate the terrorists. They will be a big help because they are familiar with the area," Adan explained. However, he stressed that it did not mean the AFP was encouraging vigilantism, but said the AFP needs any help it can get.

The President herself also brushed off insinuations the bounty would pave the way for a rise in vigilantism in the country. "We have provided the reward system and we are prepared to deal with its consequences," she added. But PNP Director General Leandro Mendoza said he saw no reason why the government should tap vigilantes or other private armed groups (PAGs) despite the hostage crisis.

"The PNP has a long-standing position regarding PAGs. We do not and we would not allow them (to help government forces). We don't see any need for the government to tap them for whatever reason—not even if they will be used against the Abu Sayyaf," Mendoza said. The government has offered a P5 million reward for any Abu Sayyaf leader captured, and P1 million for any member involved in the abductions.

Still, the PNP chief said: "We have launched an all-out war against PAGs during the recent elections. The combined forces of the police and military would be enough to crush the bandits. It (Abu Sayyaf) is a little group. We should not downplay the capability of government forces." Last year, the military and police dissented on how government should attack the terrorists' lairs when they held the 21 hostages, mostly foreigners, from the Sipadan Island resort in April last year. The military batted for conventional warfare against the Abu Sayyaf, but the police favored a commando-type operation to rescue the hostages.

Respect for blackout

Meanwhile, the President appealed to mediamen to respect the government's decision to impose a news blackout on the Palawan hostage crisis, saying the public's thirst for information should take a backseat to the "ongoing war" with the Abu Sayyaf. However, she admitted the government has yet to determine whether it would sanction newsmen who would challenge the blackout. "I'll discuss that with the AFP, we'll see what they can physically do, but right now we are appealing to you, right now it's a state of appeal," Mrs. Arroyo told a news conference. The Chief Executive also refused to comment on the terrorists' threat to kill some of the hostages if the government did not withdraw its extermination policy against the Abu Sayyaf.

But what is definite is that mediamen would not be allowed to enter the military's area of operations against the terrorists, Mrs. Arroyo said. She said she did not want a repeat of the Sipadan situation, where journalists who braved the trek to the terrorists' lair were also taken hostage. "I am appealing to our mediamen to understand how sensitive the military operations that are being undertaken. Secrecy is important in this kind of operation to surprise our enemies," the President said.

Help from Muslims

Salam Mosque Chairman Haji Hassan, the leader of a Muslim community in Manila, also urged the government to negotiate with the Abu Sayyaf, adding that former hostage negotiator Robert Aventajado could be tapped for the job. In an interview with ABS-CBN television, Hassan assured that Abu Sayyaf members will be barred from entering their community in Quiapo, Manila, and that a strict identification system is being implemented in the area. In a related development, Transportation Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez admitted that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) suffers from a shortage of patrol craft.

May 28, 2001, The Manila Times, Americans kidnapped Former TIMES owner among 21 hostages, by Marian Trinidad and Maritess Fernandez,

TAUSUG-SPEAKING gunmen abducted about 21 people, including three Americans and wealthy Chinese-Filipinos, from an upscale resort in Palawan early morning yesterday, the country's military chief said. Also among the hostages is Reghis M. Romero, former majority shareholder of THE MANILA TIMES and owner of R-2 Builders, a construction firm.

Camp Crame officials listed Romero's address as 135 Malakas St., Diliman, Quezon City. A Times official confirmed it was the former Manila Times officers' address. Malacañang, however, would neither confirm nor deny that the kidnapped Romero was the former TIMES owner.

"We cannot confirm at this point the identity of Mr. Romero and we appeal to the media that we don't disclose the background of each of the Filipino hostages," Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said.

Raiders

Officials suspect the abductors are Abu Sayyaf bandits operating in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. Twenty armed men stormed the Dos Palmas Island Resort in Honda Bay around 5:30 a.m., using a "kumpit," an oversized, fast motorboat. Resort spokesman, Alian Pavia, quoted staff and security as saying the raiders spoke Tausug, the dialect of island provinces where the Abu Sayyaf is based.

"It happened so fast, they were able to get into the cottages," Pavia told ABS-CBN. He said most of the hostages were tourists staying at the more expensive bay cottages, some 100 meters from the mainland resort. The resort, opened in 1998, has about 50 hotel rooms and seaside cottages—some built on stilts in a bay—and offers diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking and sightseeing tours.

The resort's Internet site had rates listed at $140 to $240 for a two-night stay, fairly expensive for the Philippines. The guests were believed to include 13 Chinese Filipinos, at least two Americans and a still unidentified three-year-old girl, reportedly a child of a hostaged couple.

Victims

The Americans were identified as Martin and Gracia Burnham, missionaries from Wichita, Kansas, who have lived in the Philippines since around 1986 and have been working for the New Tribes Mission, said Tim Grossman, who was at the organization's Manila office yesterday. They had flown to the resort on Saturday.

Martin has spent most of his life in the Philippines, Grossman said, and the couple—both children of missionaries—had been living in Nueva Vizcaya. He said mission members heard of the abduction while at church. Southern Tagalog police director Chief Supt. Domingo also identified the third foreigner as Guillermo Sobero, a Spanish-American, of 4045 Moddy St., Corona, USA.

The other hostages are Janice Tingo Go, of Makati City; Luis Bautista, of GT Plaza, Mandaluyong City; Luis Raul de Guzman Recio, Angie Montealegre, Divine Montealegre and RJ Recio of Suite 520, 105 Leviste St., Salcedo Village, Makati; Lalaine Chua, Kimberly Jao, Letty Jao; Francis and Teresa Ganzon of 311 Ipil St., United Parañaque; Maria Riza Rodriguez of 1180 E. Rodriguez St., Doña Hemady, New Manila, Quezon City; Ma. Fe Rosendo of Dagomboy Village, Puerto Princesa; resort staff Sonny Dacquer and security officer Armando Bayona and Eldren Moralez.

Pursuit

Fisherman Salvador Aton told local radio that he saw the abductors and their hostages aboard a vessel known as a "kumpit" traveling toward the southern Mindanao region. "There were armed men in ski masks surrounding a group of people. I waved at them but they did not respond," Aton claimed.

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said a military surveillance plane spotted what looked like the boat apparently heading toward Malaysia. He said a joint military patrol at the sea border could block the abductors, but he refused to divulge what the military planned to do if they confirm the boat actually contained the abductors and their hostages. The armed forces said it has deployed planes and navy ships in a massive search for the abductors and their captives in Mindanao's high seas, many areas of which have long been plagued by Muslim separatists, pirates and other outlaws.

"Obviously we'll be very concerned if there were Americans among those abducted," said Michael Anderson of the US Embassy. US security personnel were to hold an emergency meeting, he said. Anderson said they have heard reports that up to three Americans, including a couple, may have been among those abducted, but he was confirming this with local authorities.

"Don't worry. We're doing everything we can to get them," said Capt. Djo Jalandoni, with the military's western command. Jalandoni said the abductors might have been headed to Jolo Island, the base of Abu Sayyaf bandits, some of whom fled to nearby Tawi-Tawi at height of a military assault on their Jolo lairs last year and last April.

Navy ships and aircraft conducted simultaneous searches throughout Sunday. But the officials said they were cruising several times faster than ordinary patrol boat. The Philippines informed Kuala Lumpur about the abduction and urged the Malaysian Royal Navy to step up border patrols to prevent the gunmen from fleeing to Sabah.

"There is military movement on the border. And there is a close coordination between our armed forces and that of the Malaysian military," said a senior military official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Violence

The raid at Dos Palmas came barely five days after an attack in the Pearl Farm resort, Samal, Davao del Norte. Dozens of gunmen armed with assault rifles and rocket launchers stormed the resort but security guards fought them off. Two resort workers were killed and three security guards were injured.

Investigators originally suspected Abu Sayyaf, but Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon later said the gunmen were pirates trying to capture a speedboat. On Thursday, armed men also abducted a ferry with 42 people on board elsewhere in the southern Philippines, later releasing the passengers but keeping four sailors in apparent revenge against a local militia, the military said. Police said the abductors were likely members of Abu Sayyaf, which took foreign tourists hostage last year. The group says it is fighting to carve a separate Islamic state out of the area.

A little more than a year ago, the Abu Sayyaf raided a Malaysian tourist resort and took 10 foreign tourists hostage. They also took other hostages in a series of incidents in the southern Philippines. All the hostages have since been freed—including American Jeffrey Schilling—some reportedly for large ransoms. President Arroyo ordered an "all-out war" on Abu Sayyaf in early April, but military officials said it has regrouped in the last two weeks. --With AP

May 30, 2001, The Manila Times, US steps up hostage role FBI men to check Americans' plight, by Maritess Fernandez and Julmunir Jannaral Al Haj,

THE United States has stepped up its involvement in the Palawan hostage crisis, sending two agents of its Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to inquire on the condition of the three American hostages, television news reports said yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Abu Sayyaf, which kidnapped 20 people from the Dos Palmas Arrecetti Island Resort at Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa City on Saturday in a daring morning raid, have brought their victims to the southern island province of Sulu, evading a massive military rescue operation, a source within the terrorist group said.

Nur Misuari, chief of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), has also ordered field commanders of the erstwhile rebel group in Palawan and Sulu to assist government forces in securing and rescuing the hostages.

However, MNLF chief of staff Yusop H. Jikiri, also governor-elect of Sulu, appealed to the Arroyo administration to give them the free hand in resolving the crisis, emphasizing that local officials should solve first the problem without interference from any official in Manila.

But Lt. Gen. Gregorio Camiling, chief of the military's Southern Command, insisted the rebels and their captives were stranded in the remote island of Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi near the Sabah border. He also said some of the rebels were also left behind in Palawan province. "What we have learned is that the Abu Sayyaf rebels and their hostages are stranded in Mapun Island, Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi," Camiling told a news conference here.

He also said a flotilla of ships and attack aircraft were searching for the raiders. "We have ordered the Naval Forces-South to block the area in Mapun and also the Philippine Air Force to conduct reconnaissance (flight).

There were sightings of them and we have deployed sea assets in Palawan and to farthest South," the general said. Camiling also appealed to the media to closely coordinate with the Army if they travel to Basilan and Sulu provinces to cover the hostage crisis, saying he did not want reporters ending up as kidnap victims as well. An Abu Sayyaf source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told THE MANILA TIMES the rebels and their hostages landed Monday morning on the coastal town of Panglima Estino in the largely Moslem province, about 1,000 km south of Manila.

"The rebels and all 20 hostages were spotted in Panglima Estino, and they landed at around 9 a.m.," the source said by phone. The hostages were now in the groups of Abu Sayyaf leaders Khadaffy Janjalani, Abu Sabaya, Galib Andang, Mujib Susukan, Naadzmi Sabdulah and Commander Omar in the town, but the terrorists are expected to hide their victims in the towns of Talipao, Patikul and Indanan, strongholds of the extremists.

Caution in assault

In Palawan, the FBI men approached Supt. Orlando Madela of the Puerto Princesa police and said they were concerned the Abu Sayyaf Group would harm the three hostages, all missionaries, ABS-CBN television reported.

This came as Army Col. Ernesto Pacuño, alias "Commander Dragon", told ABS-CBN's dzMM radio Tuesday that to assure the safety of the hostages, security officials should be circumspect about ordering the military action against the Abu Sayyaf.

Pacuño, a member of the government's negotiating team with the terrorists that succeeded in freeing the 24 hostages in last year's Sipadan hostage crisis, said an indiscriminate military assault might backfire and harm the hostages who get caught in the crossfire.

He said it is difficult to pin down the Abu Sayyaf, especially in Sulu, because it has the support of local residents in staging their bases. But Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the military is carefully evaluating intelligence data, especially in the light of Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya's claim that hostages were separated into two groups, dzMM radio said. Adan said the terrorists' statement could very well be a ploy to mislead the military and throw off pursuit operations.

Villagers' help

Camiling said villagers in the southern Philippines were providing a lot of information to the military about the Abu Sayyaf and the hostages. "We have been receiving many information and the military is validating all these reports," he said. Meanwhile, Sabaya said those with Susukan's group in Sulu are Luis Bautista, Armando Bayona, Lalaine Chua, Kimberly Jao, Janice Go, Letty Jao, Sonny Dacquer, Reghis Romero, Eldren Morales and Maria Riza Santos.

He said his group is holding the three Americans, Martin and Gracia Burnham and Guillermo Sobero, along with Francis Ganzon, Tereza Ganzon, Luis Raul de Guzman Recio, R.J. Recio, Angie Montealegre, Divina Montealegre and Maria Fe Rosadeno in Basilan province.

But Adan said the hostages were not in Basilan, and that Sabaya, who spoke by satellite phone, could be misleading the military. "We have verified this report on Basilan and the military said there were no indications the hostages are in the province. This could be a ploy (of the rebels) to confuse the military," he said.

One of the American captives, Martin Burnham, spoke to RMN radio and said Janjalani's group is holding him and his wife, Gracia and the others.

"We are safe in the group of Khadaffy Janjalani and we are appealing to the government for a safe and peaceful negotiations. They are treating us well," Burnham said.

For their part, Commander Wahid Salih, MNLF chair for North Palawan, said they have received Misuari's orders and will do their best to recover the hostages "I am now in touch with Brother Fadhi Adjimin, the chief of our Committee in South Palawan," said Salih.

Swarm of reporters

In Zamboanga City, reporters for national newspapers and foreign television networks flocked here Tuesday from Manila to cover the hostage drama. But Camiling still cautioned them from getting too close to the frontlines, as last year, the Abu Sayyaf held dozens of local and foreign journalists covering the Sipadan hostage crisis and freed them after payments of ransom money.

"We do not want this thing to happen again. And that's why we are appealing to local and foreign journalists to please coordinate with the Army in Sulu and Basilan provinces for your own safety," the Southern Command chief said.

He said the military could provide security to journalists while covering the crisis. "The Philippine military is not restricting the press. There are no restrictions to the press and the government is only concerned about your safety," Camiling told a news conference. The military said it would hold regular news conferences about the ongoing rescue operation to free all the captives.

May 30, 2001, Gulf News, Concerns rise over upsurge in vigilantism, by Gilbert Felongco,

Various sectors have expressed concern over President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's $2m bounty offer and her plan to arm civilians in order to capture Abu Sayyaf leaders. Arroyo issued the bounty offer following the abduction on Sunday of 20 people from a luxury resort in Palawan by the Abu Sayyaf group.

Senators from the opposition denounced the practice of offering bounty for the capture of criminals as a desperate measure to curb lawlessness. Senator John Osmena said that while there is nothing irregular about getting the bounty from the government's intelligence funds, this might send the wrong signal to the abductors.

"They might be forced to take desperate measures like harming their hostages," he said. Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya, in fact, warned he would execute all hostages if the government carried out an offensive against the group.

Senator Vicente Sotto III said that if the government wished to negotiate it should start talking with the Abu Sayyaf now. "Time is of the essence here. If the government wants a military solution to the problem it should do so now."

The bounty offer was made to finally neutralise the Abu Sayyaf, a small but well-armed group based in the southern islands of Basilan and Sulu, and notorious for their kidnapping activities. The group last year kidnapped 21 people, mostly Europeans and Malaysians, from a resort in Malaysia.

Several other abductions have been carried out in the wake of the that incident. Although the Philippine government observes a no-ransom policy, the Abu Sayyaf victims were reported to have been released upon payment of ransom to the bandits.

Putting a price on the head of the Abu Sayyaf members also raises concerns about the rise of paramilitary groups in the south, an area already known for its number of vigilante groups. So far, with regards to the recent kidnapping in Palawan, the Abu Sayyaf has not made any ransom demand.

During a press conference yesterday, military spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said the government is willing to give arms to civilians willing to take part in efforts to capture the Abu Sayyaf.

But the plan does not sit well with the Philippine National Police. PNP chief Director-General Leandro Mendoza warned that using paramilitaries in the operation against the Abu Sayyaf might become a headache for the government. "This could pose serious law and order problems in the long run for us," he said.

While the PNP said it is willing to accept the support of anyone who wants to help in the search, it stressed that the military and police should only coordinate with private citizens, instead of enlisting or producing vigilantes.

May 30, 2001, Gulf News, Security beefed up at five tourist spots, by Barbara Mae Dacanay and Jasmin Arquiza,

The Philippines Coast Guard has mobilised patrols to bolster security at five popular tourist destinations, but other tourists spots are not covered by the new measure, a senior official said. The Philippines Coast Guard has mobilised patrols to bolster security at five popular tourist destinations, but other tourists spots are not covered by the new measure, a senior official said.

Transport and Communication Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez said that patrol boats have been posted at beach areas of Boracay, Aklan, central Philippines; Cebu in central Philippines; Camiguin and Davao in southern Philippines; and Puerto Galera in southern Luzon.

But although the coast guard has sufficient manpower, it suffers from a shortage of patrol craft, said Alvarez. The long-stalled five-year-development plan to modernise the Philippines Coast Guard has been overtaken by a rash of raids on beach resorts by bandits, he added.

Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon remained bullish about the future of the tourism industry when he took reporters to Dos Palmas in Palawan, southwestern Philippines. "Anything can hurt tourism at the moment.

We don't have to tell everybody that we are not in good shape," he said. "But it is unfair to say we are a kidnap capital. If we do that we are practically rewarding the Abu Sayyaf." Tourism operators here said they fear grave setbacks for the local industry following the abduction of 20 persons from the posh Dos Palmas Island resort on Saturday.

Despite assurances from local and national government officials, owners of hotel, restaurant and tourist-oriented businesses are not optimistic for Palawan's tourism-based economy, in light of the advisory by the U.S. embassy against travel to Mindanao and Palawan.

The province receives about 140,000 tourists a year, generating about $1m in revenue. "This will affect us badly," said a local hotel owner. "It is an isolated incident but we cannot explain this to the people. With the travel ban from the U.S., we cannot expect people to come here like before.

We need more aggressive marketing, and to promote the good side of Palawan," he added. The Palawan and Puerto Princesa Tourism Councils yesterday agreed to beef up security in member establishments. At Dos Palmas Resort, operations are normal and only a minimal number of foreign guests have cancelled bookings, according to Allan Fabian, resort spokesperson.

Palawan Governor Joel Reyes also called for unity to protect the local economy. "Tourism is not only the responsibility of the government. We are going to fight back. We are not going to just lie down and put our hands up," he said.

The provincial government has announced a $2m reward for information leading to the identity and whereabouts of the perpetrators. Describing the attack at Dos Palmas as a 'temporary setback', Gordon said things will return to normal.

The government must respond with security measures to attain its credibility as a tourist destination. Gordon promised security for tourists, but international reports of the kidnapping incidents have made the government brace for a slump in the tourism industry, one of the major sources of revenue.

May 30, 2001, Inquirer News Service, Military declares open season on Abu Sayyaf, by Carlito Pablo,
Posted: 1:30 AM (Manila Time)

THE ARMED Forces of the Philippines yesterday declared an open season on the Abu Sayyaf bandit group that kidnapped 20 people at Palawan's Dos Palmas resort on Sunday.

"The AFP will welcome any group that can neutralize the Abu Sayyaf. They will be rewarded," AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan told newsmen.

Reward or no reward, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front vowed to help the government in securing the release of the 20 hostages, including three Americans.

President Macapagal-Arroyo announced on Monday night that the government was offering a P100-million bounty for information leading to the capture of Abu Sayyaf leaders and followers involved in the kidnapping.

In a press briefing, Adan said there were residents who had organized themselves into armed groups in the island-provinces of Sulu and Basilan where the Abu Sayyaf was known to operate.

"We are not encouraging vigilantes, but we know that in these areas there are armed groups who are not enemies of the government," he said.

Adan said any of these armed groups could track down on its own any of the bandits “under the principle of citizens' arrest."

An armed group could also coordinate with military troops by joining patrols or providing intelligence information, he said.

"The sooner we end this terrorist group, the better. Everything else it secondary to the national interest," Adan said.

In a news conference in Malacañang, Ms Macapagal said she had no objections to the military’s plan.

Asked to comment on reports that the military was willing to arm even civilians, Ms Macapagal said she didn’t think it would cause any problem.

Under the reward system, an informer will be paid P5 million for the capture of a top Abu Sayyaf leader and P1 million for an ordinary bandit.

Adan said the reward system had proven advantageous to the government in the past.

Abdurajak Janjalani, Abu Sayyaf founder, and Edwin Angeles, a police informer who later joined the bandit group, were killed in separate incidents based on information provided authorities.

"We are calling on residents of the Sulu archipelago to cooperate with us in locating these terrorists who are doing great damage to the economy and the nation," Adan said.

MILF help

In Cotabato City, MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu said his group had forces in Sulu and Basilan that could help the government neutralize the Abu Sayyaf.

Kabalu said the government's decision to crush the Abu Sayyaf was correct.

"Here is a group that does everything the Koran prohibits. It's not an Islamic movement. What they're doing is plain banditry," he said in an interview with radio station dxMS.

Kabalu said the MILF was helping the government as a confidence-building measure.

The MILF, which is fighting for the establishment of an independent Moro homeland in Mindanao, is scheduled to resume formal peace talks with the government soon.

May 30, 2001, Inquirer News Service, Senators raise alarm over bounty, vigilantes, by Carlito Pablo
Posted: 1:28 AM (Manila Time)

Senators are uneasy about the administration’s offer of a P100-million bounty for the Abu Sayyaf and the use of civilian vigilante groups.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. warned against the use of vigilantes in the government’s fight against the Abu Sayyaf.

“The use of vigilantes will only exacerbate the situation, it will escalate the level of violence if you allow vigilantes to do the work of regular military and police units,” Pimentel said.

Should the military seek the help of armed civilian groups, their role should be limited to “giving support as blocking force or pinpointing the exact location of the Abu Sayyaf bandits,” he said.

Pimentel and the other senators also voiced misgivings about the President’s plan to offer rewards for the capture of the bandits.

"Judas sold Christ for 30 pieces of silver, I don't discount the possibility that the monetary inducement can break even family bonds," Pimentel said.

Sen. Vicente Sotto called for safeguards in handing down rewards, saying the scheme was prone to abuse.

Sen. Loren Legarda echoed Sotto's views.

"I hope the captors themselves or their families will not give the tip so they end up having both the bounty and ransom to enable them to buy more firearms," she said.

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, chair of the Senate committee on national security and defense, said members of the military and police should not be entitled to any reward.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Francisco Tatad said the P100-million bounty indicated the intelligence arms of the military and the police had failed in their tasks.

Sen. Renato Cayetano, however, said putting up rewards was the best way to get the kidnappers.

May 30, 2001, Inquirer News Service, Palawan Kidnapping, Just a 'blip' in RP recovery—GMA, by Juliet Labog-Javellana, Inquirer News Service,

PRESIDENT Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday said the kidnapping of 20 people in Palawan by Abu Sayyaf bandits was just "a blip" in the country's economic recovery amid investor jitters over the latest hostage drama.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index on Tuesday slid 9.69 points to 1385.43 after shedding 1.1 percent the previous day.

Even so, the peso closed higher at 50.50 against the US dollar, slightly up from 50.77 Monday.

"If this drags on, just like what happened to the kidnap victims of the Abu Sayyaf last year, the market will suffer," Gonzalo Bongolan, research director of PCCI Securities & Brokers, warned.

"Of course, there's a blip there," Ms Macapagal told a news conference in Malacañang, referring to the Abu Sayyaf's daring raid on the Dos Palmas resort on Sunday.

"Things like this happen. Just last night I was looking at a two-day riot somewhere in the United Kingdom."

But she pointed out that the important thing was "we must address this decisively to show the world that we can protect our citizens, our visitors and our investors."

Stock market

"The market's decline was expected, since it will take some time to price into the market the fact that the Abu Sayyaf is still active," Bongolan of PCCI Securities & Brokers said.

With the main stock index close to its 1380-point trendline support, Bongolan said the market might test the support level.

But he said the market should also consider the potential for economic reforms in the country under the Macapagal administration.

“I don’t think we deserve a (low) valuation like the one we had last year," he said, referring to the market’s weakness when the country was buffeted by a political crisis under the administration of deposed leader Joseph Estrada.

Efren Cruz of Mutual Fund Management Company of the Philippines said the market was likely to drift sideways in a narrow range pending the resolution of the power bill issue in Congress and the release of the first quarter GDP (growth domestic growth) figures.

Growth numbers for the first three months are due to be released on Thursday, with analysts expecting a much weaker economic performance than the final quarter last year.

Economic Planning Secretary Dante Canlas said last week that the government might slash this year's economic growth target from the already-lowered mark of 3.8 percent.

He said GDP growth in the three months to March would only reach between 2.3-3.0 percent based on preliminary estimates amid the US and Japan economic slowdown, which hit the country's exports.

May 30, 2001, Inquirer News Service, Senators express guarded support for blackout, by Martin Marfil, Juliet Javellana, Carlito Pablo and Armand Nocum, Posted: 0:05 AM (Manila Time)

Senators supported the news blackout imposed by President Macapagal-Arroyo on military operations to rescue 20 hostages abducted from a Palawan resort but said the military should give daily news briefings on what was happening.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said "tactical moves" of the military must never be divulged, "because otherwise you telegraph your punches to the enemy unnecessarily."

But he said it was important that the AFP conduct daily briefings "so that the people are not kept in the dark."

Outgoing Sen. Francisco Tatad noted that in similar situations abroad, a news blackout was usually imposed. But he said that the government must provide news briefings.

Sen. Loren Legarda said she was for transparency, but "I don't want to hear about money changing hands, about ransom being paid, negotiations being under way, etc.

"I am not for a complete blackout, but I want the media to be very responsible on this very delicate and sensitive issue," she said.

Opposition Sen. Vicente Sotto III said it was not right for media to reveal military operations while Sen. Gregorio Honasan said media should exercise "self-restraint" when covering the terrorist group.

Honasan warned newsmen from giving the Abu Sayyaf "too much attention," noting the group was "hungry for national and international recognition."

US Embassy spokesperson Tom Skipper lauded the President's decision to impose a news blackout and said the embassy agreed with her intention "to keep the incident a very low key one."

Nine newspapers, three TV and six radio stations were invited to a Malacañang cocktail where the President made her appeal.

Those who came were Amando Doronila of the INQUIRER, Emilio Yap and Nap Rama of the Manila Bulletin, Miguel Belmonte and Bobby de la Cruz of the Philippine Star, Adrian Cristobal of the Manila Times, Ramon Faustino Dolor of the Manila Standard, Amado Macasaet of Malaya, Henry Locsin and James Saspa of Today, Ronnie Romero of Businessworld, Philip King and Benjie Defensor of Journal.

Representing the TV networks were ABS-CBN's Gabby Lopez, Danny Bernardo and DJ Sta. Ana and GMA 7's Felipe Gozon, Jimmy Duavit and Bobby Barreiro.

Antonio Cabangon-Chua of dwIZ, Mario Garcia of Veritas, Robles and Deo Macalma of dzRH, Canoy, Edith Bautista and Bobby Ante of RMN, and Acol for Bombo Radyo also attended the cocktails. With Rocky Nazareno and Inquirer wires

May 30, 2001, Inquirer News Service, GMA warns kidnappers 'a rain of bullets', by Martin P. Marfil,
Posted: 0:14 AM (Manila Time)

THE BANDIT group Abu Sayyaf would have to contend with "a rain of bullets" if it refused to release the 20 people it abducted Sunday, President Macapagal-Arroyo said yesterday.

She aired the warning at a press conference in Malacañang wherein she also announced that, "as Commander in Chief," she had "directed the Armed Forces to put up small permanent mini-camps on all the islands in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao," to deny sanctuary to the bandits.

"Soldiers should be posted on big or small islands to conduct patrols at all times," she said, speaking in Filipino.

Asked if the military was capable of fortifying all the islands, the President expressed confidence that this could be done.

Addressing the Abu Sayyaf, she said: "You better release the people you abducted while you still have the time. If you don’t, bullets will rain down on you."

But the bandits' spokesperson Abu Sabaya said his group would "not think twice" about killing all the three Americans and 17 Filipinos seized from the Dos Palmas Arreceffi Island Resort in Puerto Princesa City if the military launched an all-out offensive.

"If we encounter the military and find out they are operating against us, we will kill all the hostages," Sabaya, speaking by satellite phone, told Rey Bayogin, station manager of the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) in Zamboanga City.

"We are ready to die fighting. This is suicide. The government knows what to do. The government knows our capability," Sabaya said.

RMN is a privately owned radio station that the bandits called frequently last year while holding a group of 21 people, mostly foreign tourists, abducted from the Malaysian resort of Sipadan.

Government officials have in the past communicated with the Abu Sayyaf through the station, the Associated Press noted.

The President also said she had sought the help of foreign countries in trying to resolve the latest hostage-taking incident.

She said Malaysia had started to step up its patrols, but refused to give details on the other countries that had been asked to help.

She pointed out that a firm handling of the crisis was what was needed.

"We must address this decisively to show the world that we can protect our citizens, our visitors and our investors . . . That is why we are working not only on addressing the (current) problem but (also) on how to prevent (it) from happening again," she said.

Open to dialogueThe US government is supporting the Macapagal administration's "no negotiation for ransom" policy.

However, it is "open to a dialogue with the Abu Sayyaf, hoping we can convince them to release the hostages without conditions," US Embassy spokesperson Tom Skipper said yesterday.

"But we maintain our stand that we will not clinch any concession or ransom deal with these terrorists," he said.

He acknowledged that the Macapagal administration’s policy on kidnapping was the same as that of the US government With reports from Rocky Nazareno, Norman Bordadora and AFP

May 30, 2001, Inquirer News Service, Where are Dos Palmas hostages?, by Carlito Pablo,
Posted: 1:44 AM (Manila Time)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The military is focusing its rescue operations on Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi, also known as Mapun Island, despite the Abu Sayyaf’s claim Monday that it had taken the 20 people it abducted from a Palawan resort to Basilan and Sulu.

Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio Camiling Jr. yesterday said there had been no Abu Sayyaf landings at the two provinces, based on reports from "assets and informants."

"I'm not denying that they are now in Basilan or Sulu. But there are no indications that will prove that they are now (there)," he said.

Military operations are continuing despite Abu Sayyaf spokesperson Abu Sabaya’s threat yesterday to kill all the hostages if an offensive were launched against him and his cohorts.

Eleven naval vessels had been dispatched to Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, five of which are now at Mapun and serving as blockade.

Camiling said reinforcements from the 2nd Marine Brigade had also been sent to Mapun, which is 136 nautical miles from Palawan.

He said government troops were under strict instructions to “secure the lives of the hostages,” but admitted that the military had limited resources.

Agence France Presse reported that earlier yesterday, Supt. Candido Casimiro, police chief of Sulu, said villagers sighted the hostages being unloaded in Jolo on Monday.

The wire agency quoted Camiling as saying that the military had checked this out, with a "negative result."

In Manila, Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said the search for the hostages was continuing in the coastal towns and islands of Palawan, toward the south of the province and extending down to the Sulu archipelago.

"We are still hopeful that they have not gone to Sulu," Adan said.

Sabaya told dxDZ Radyo Agong on Monday that the Abu Sayyaf was behind the Sunday abduction of 17 Filipinos and three Americans from the Dos Palmas Arreceffi Beach Resort in Puerto Princesa City.

He said the hostages had been divided into two groups and taken separately to Basilan and Sulu.

But Camiling said Sabaya's claim had been intended to mislead authorities and derail pursuit operations.

"We know the capabilities of the satellite phone. You can (call from) wherever you are," Camiling said.

Adan said "this could be a ploy to mislead our troops."

May 30, 2001, Inquirer News Service, Army chief defends intelligence units, by Julie Alipala-Inot and Jonathan F. Ma, Posted: 0:46 AM (Manila Time)

PHILIPPINE Army chief Lt. Gen. Jaime de los Santos yesterday defended the AFP intelligence units from accusations that these had failed to anticipate the hostage taking in Palawan.

"Our human intelligence assets are good. It was in the area of technology that we failed," he said.

De los Santos also said the ocean between Palawan and Sulu covers a vast area that was "simply too much" for the AFP's air and naval resources.

He urged resort owners to tighten their security, saying: "Security should be the concern of all, not only of the military. We have our intelligence units but if the resort owners are vigilant, then that could help a lot."

In Davao City, some 800 soldiers belonging to the 56th Infantry Battalion were pulled out of Makilala, North Cotabato, for an assignment yet unknown.

The soldiers and their families left Makilala midnight Monday and arrived at Camp Panacan in Davao City at 3 a.m. yesterday.

Col. Felipe Berroya, chief of the 701st Infantry Brigade, said the soldiers would be brought home to Luzon. But there are suspicions that they will be taken to Basilan for the rescue operations.

Intelligence
Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said the government was coordinating with the United States in building up intelligence data for the neutralization of the Abu Sayyaf and the rescue of its 20 hostages.

The US and Philippine naval forces are set to start an 11-day series of joint exercises on June 1.

Dubbed "Carat 2001 (Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training)," the exercises will involve more than 1,440 US soldiers, four vessels (the USS Curtis, USS Wadsworth, USS Rushmore and US Safeguard), and one P3C Orion aircraft, and 1,175 Philippine troops, eight naval vessels and two aircraft.

According to a statement issued by the Philippine Navy, the exercises are designed to promote "interoperability between the US and Philippine forces in the areas of operational planning, command and control, tactics and community relations projects."

The exercises will take place in and around Subic, the former US naval base in Zambales; the Marine base in Ternate, Cavite; the Naval Education and Training Command in Zambales; Fort San Felipe in Sangley Point, Cavite; Bonifacio Naval Station in Makati City; and the Navy Headquarters in Manila.

Adan said the government was also sharing intelligence with the Malaysian government.

"What we need are current and relevant information," he said.

He noted that the United States could share this type of information "considering its resources."

For example, Adan said, the United States had the capability to pinpoint the location of the Abu Sayyaf's Sabaya and his band should he use telecommunications facilities to make contact with the media or the authorities. With reports from Froilan Gallardo, Grace Cantal-Albasin and Ayan C. Mellejor, PDI Mindanao Bureau; Carlito Pablo in Manila; Agence France Presse

May 30, 2001, Inquirer News Service, Abu Sayyaf at Mapun Island—Armed Forces, by Julie Alipala-Inot and Jonathan F. Ma, Posted: 1:41 AM (Manila Time)

The Abu Sayyaf left Palawan for Mapun Island using a vessel with a speed of 30 knots, according to an assessment by Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Col. Valentin Prudencio, deputy commander of the Tactical Operations Wing, pointed out that the boats of the Philippine Navy "can only run on a 12-knot speed," and that the military's nighttime monitoring capacity was limited.

"Planes can't fly while the Navy's monitoring is quite controlled," Prudencio said, adding that the bandits and their hostages could slip away at night if they did not use their boats’ engines.

Camiling also noted that the bandits' wooden boats had three outboard engines. But he aired the assurance that the Navy could still go after the bandits.

Prudencio insisted that the bandits and their hostages were still at Mapun.

He said they had received reports that the vessels used by the bandits were seen floating at sea.

"Probably they ran out of fuel," he said.

Supt. Akmadul Pangambayan, Basilan police chief, said there were no reports of Abu Sayyaf landings in his province.

Sources in Sulu also said they had received no reports that the hostages were brought there. Agence France Presse quoted Adan as saying that the military's objectives were "to neutralize these kidnappers and terrorists (and) arrest them" and "to rescue the hostages unharmed."

"These two missions are equally important," he said.

If the bandits resist, he said, "then we shoot them."

No deployment

In Cagayan de Oro City, Brig. Gen. Alfonso Dagudag, chief of the Army 4th Infantry Division, said he would meet with resort owners and tourism officials in Northern Mindanao to map out security measures for the safety of tourists.

Dagudag ruled out the deployment of troops to the resorts, especially those in Camiguin and Siargao Islands, the primary tourist destinations in Northern Mindanao.

"Posting troops in those resorts would mean the certain death of our tourism industry," he said.

Dagudag also said the resort owners themselves would object to troop deployment.

With reports from Froilan Gallardo, Grace Cantal-Albasin and Ayan C. Mellejor, Carlito Pablo, AFP

May 30, 2001, Inquirer News Service, Military declares open season on Abu Sayyaf,, by Carlito Pablo, Posted: 1:30 AM (Manila Time)

THE ARMED Forces of the Philippines yesterday declared an open season on the Abu Sayyaf bandit group that kidnapped 20 people at Palawan’s Dos Palmas resort on Sunday.

"The AFP will welcome any group that can neutralize the Abu Sayyaf. They will be rewarded," AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan told newsmen.

Reward or no reward, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front vowed to help the government in securing the release of the 20 hostages, including three Americans.

President Macapagal-Arroyo announced on Monday night that the government was offering a P100-million bounty for information leading to the capture of Abu Sayyaf leaders and followers involved in the kidnapping.

In a press briefing, Adan said there were residents who had organized themselves into armed groups in the island-provinces of Sulu and Basilan where the Abu Sayyaf was known to operate.

"We are not encouraging vigilantes, but we know that in these areas there are armed groups who are not enemies of the government," he said.

Adan said any of these armed groups could track down on its own any of the bandits “under the principle of citizens’ arrest."

An armed group could also coordinate with military troops by joining patrols or providing intelligence information, he said.

"The sooner we end this terrorist group, the better. Everything else it secondary to the national interest," Adan said.

In a news conference in Malacañang, Ms Macapagal said she had no objections to the military's plan.

Asked to comment on reports that the military was willing to arm even civilians, Ms Macapagal said she didn't think it would cause any problem.

Under the reward system, an informer will be paid P5 million for the capture of a top Abu Sayyaf leader and P1 million for an ordinary bandit.

Adan said the reward system had proven advantageous to the government in the past.

Abdurajak Janjalani, Abu Sayyaf founder, and Edwin Angeles, a police informer who later joined the bandit group, were killed in separate incidents based on information provided authorities.

"We are calling on residents of the Sulu archipelago to cooperate with us in locating these terrorists who are doing great damage to the economy and the nation," Adan said.

MILF help

In Cotabato City, MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu said his group had forces in Sulu and Basilan that could help the government neutralize the Abu Sayyaf.

Kabalu said the government's decision to crush the Abu Sayyaf was correct.

"Here is a group that does everything the Koran prohibits. It's not an Islamic movement. What they're doing is plain banditry," he said in an interview with radio station dxMS.

Kabalu said the MILF was helping the government as a confidence-building measure.

The MILF, which is fighting for the establishment of an independent Moro homeland in Mindanao, is scheduled to resume formal peace talks with the government soon.

May 30, 2001, Inquirer News Service, News blackout on rescue efforts, by Martin Marfil, Juliet Javellana, Carlito Pablo and Armand Nocum, Posted: 0:02 AM (Manila Time)

President Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday imposed a news blackout on the military offensive against the bandits holding 20 hostages from the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan.

During her weekly news conference, Ms Macapagal appealed to the media not to interview leaders and members of the Abu Sayyaf, saying that media exposure only emboldened the group.

Asked if radio stations would be barred from interviewing the Abu Sayyaf, she replied: "We would request you to do that, please, because that is what makes them brave. That is the psychology of the terrorist, they want to have international acclaim."

No commitment

The media executives who attended the cocktail in Malacañang's Rizal Room at 6:30 last night gave no commitment on her "appeal" to impose a news blackout on the operations against the Abu Sayyaf.

Some media executives had a show of hands in support of the President's news blackout but no formal consensus was taken, according to Elmar Acol, reporter of Bombo Radyo Phils.

"The President asked them to support the government’s operations against the terrorists. I don't think that (news blackout) was mentioned at all," Press Undersecretary Roberto Capco said.

He said not even the President could order the private media entities what to do "but we will see the developments."

He assured the public that dzRH would continue to cover the event.

Butch Canoy of Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) said the network would continue to entertain Sabaya’s calls.

"We are going to talk to him and we are going to find out what he will say on the air. If it's going to be for the good of the hostages, we will air it. But if it's not good, we will probably hold back a little and we're going to find out," Canoy said after he attended a cocktail tendered by the President for owners and executives of various newspapers and radio and television outfits in Malacañang to enlist their support in her moves against the Abu Sayyaf.

Canoy said RMN would not like to air statements like the Abu Sayyaf was going to shoot all the hostages.

"We would like to help but a news blackout is for the tactical military operations. But as far as interviews are concerned, we will report the news," said Bobby Ante, also of RMN.

The President also asked newsmen not to enter Abu Sayyaf lairs, warning that they could be kidnapped and held for ransom.

War going on

Ms Macapagal justified the news blackout, saying that military operations required "secrecy" to surprise the terrorist group.

"When there's a war, you know what the priorities are. And there's a war going on in that part of the Philippines," she said.

During the press conference, Ms Macapagal invoked the "news blackout" several times and refused to reply to questions on whether she planned to seek the support of other countries and local Muslim politicians, and how she would deal with the threat to kill the hostages.

May 30, 2001, Inquirer News Service, Palawan chopper crash blamed on engine failure,
Posted: 0:58 AM (Manila Time)

LOCAL investigators and foreign experts have pointed to engine failure as the cause of the May 18 crash of the Bell-407 helicopter in Puerto Princesa, Palawan that killed six persons, including the mother of Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes.

Five experts from manufacturer Bell Helicopter Inc. and engine maker Rolls Royce-Allison, who flew in last week to help the Air Transportation Office (ATO) in the probe, however, said they would bring burned parts of the engine to the US for further analysis, an ATO officials said.

Saturnino de la Cruz, technical assistant of ATO chief Adelberto Yap, said that the team of investigators and experts found some “failed parts” of the engine, which they believed caused it to malfunction while the chopper was airborne.

"So initially we're eyeing engine failure as the cause of the crash," he said in an interview.

The parts of the engine, however, had to be brought to the US for more in-depth analysis by metallurgical experts "to determine where the engine failure originated," De la Cruz added.

The chartered Bell-407 helicopter crashed in a bamboo thicket in Barangay Manalo, 40 km away from Puerto Princesa City, on the afternoon of May 18, killing its pilot and five passengers, including Lualhati Reyes, mother of Governor Reyes.

Hours later, a Sikorsky helicopter which retrieved the bodies of the crash victims, also crashed after take-off as it got entangled in trees, killing all seven Air Force men on board. Pilot error had been blamed for the second crash.

De la Cruz said the grounding of Bell-407 helicopters would remain in effect until the real cause of the crash was determined.

Once the part of the engine that caused the crash has been pinpointed, the ATO would issue a safety circular to air charter operators using Bell-407 helicopters. After the operators have complied with this, the grounding would be lifted, he said.

At least seven charter operators use Bell-407 helicopters. Yap, who himself had received complaints about the tail rotors of this type of choppers, ordered the grounding of helicopters of this model a day after the crash.

May 30, 2001, Inquirer News Service, Senators raise alarm over bounty, vigilantes, by Carlito Pablo,
Posted: 1:28 AM (Manila Time)

Senators are uneasy about the administration’s offer of a P100-million bounty for the Abu Sayyaf and the use of civilian vigilante groups.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. warned against the use of vigilantes in the government's fight against the Abu Sayyaf.

"The use of vigilantes will only exacerbate the situation, it will escalate the level of violence if you allow vigilantes to do the work of regular military and police units," Pimentel said.

Should the military seek the help of armed civilian groups, their role should be limited to "giving support as blocking force or pinpointing the exact location of the Abu Sayyaf bandits," he said.

Pimentel and the other senators also voiced misgivings about the President's plan to offer rewards for the capture of the bandits.

“Judas sold Christ for 30 pieces of silver, I don't discount the possibility that the monetary inducement can break even family bonds," Pimentel said.

Sen. Vicente Sotto called for safeguards in handing down rewards, saying the scheme was prone to abuse.

Sen. Loren Legarda echoed Sotto’s views.

“I hope the captors themselves or their families will not give the tip so they end up having both the bounty and ransom to enable them to buy more firearms,” she said.

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, chair of the Senate committee on national security and defense, said members of the military and police should not be entitled to any reward.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Francisco Tatad said the P100-million bounty indicated the intelligence arms of the military and the police had failed in their tasks.

Sen. Renato Cayetano, however, said putting up rewards was the best way to get the kidnappers.

May 30, 2001, Inquirer News Service, Journalists can still cover operations—AFP spokesperson, by Martin Marfil, Juliet Javellana, Carlito Pablo and Armand Nocum, Posted: 0:09 AM (Manila Time)

Earlier yesterday, Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said journalists would be allowed to cover military operations against the Abu Sayyaf despite a news blackout imposed by President Macapagal-Arroyo.

"There will be no ban on media coverage," Adan told anxious reporters.

"We would not encourage you to go to Jolo at this time but in case you’ll be proceeding, please observe guidelines to ensure your safety," Adan said.

"We hope the incident last year will not be repeated because it adds up to the problem," he said.

He was referring to the abduction of several foreign and local journalists who were covering the Jolo hostage crisis involving 21 mostly foreign captives taken from a Malaysian resort.

The President said she had not yet ordered the military to physically prevent reporters from entering Abu Sayyaf strongholds.

When asked if she was considering an order to close the ports of Basilan and Sulu to newsmen, the President said: "Well, if it becomes unmanageable by appeal."

With Rocky Nazareno and Inquirer wires

May 30, 2001, Inquirer News Service, Tourism secretary upbeat despite abductions, by Juliet Labog-Javellana, Posted: 1:19 AM (Manila Time)

Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon remains upbeat despite warnings by some officials that the country’s $2.5-billion tourism industry could be the first to be hit in the wake of the abductions.

"We're not dead. We're alive and kicking," said Gordon who had been assigned to head a special task force that would secure the country's resorts.

He said foreign groups were going ahead with their plans to hold conventions in the country, including Palawan.

Gordon rejected reports that the country had failed to shed an image as a haven for kidnappers. "It's unfair to say that we are a kidnap capital. Palawan is safe. Other tourism areas are safe," he said, adding more investment should be poured into the tourism sector.

A platoon of soldiers has been sent to resorts on Boracay Island in Western Visayas, about three hours from Dos Palmas by speedboat.

But National Security Adviser Roilo Golez admitted that it was "impossible for the military and police to cover the entire Philippines with its many resorts and other possible targets."

Golez said resort owners should share the responsibility for their own security as he criticized some for rejecting government offers of security.

"They have been told to double security. Resort owners hesitate to accept security offered by the military because these tourists are allergic to armed personnel," he said. With reports from Inquirer wires

May 30, 2001, AFP, US calls for immediate release of Abu Sayyaf hostages, 7:54 AM (Manila Time)

WASHINGTON -- The United States called for the immediate release of some 20 hostages kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf bandits from the Dos Palmas Resort in Palawan.

"All of the hostages should be released immediately, safely and unconditionally," said State Department spokesman Phil Reeker.

Abu Sayyaf Muslim guerrillas on Tuesday threatened to kill some 20 US and Filipino hostages after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ruled out ransom payments and sent the military after them.

The gunmen have not issued any demands for the hostages they seized Sunday from the western island resort of Dos Palmas and are holding at an unknown area.

"The United States roundly condemns this latest act of terrorism by this group, and we remain in close touch with the government of the Philippines about the matter, Reeker said.

He reiterated the US policy against paying ransom, and insisted the Filipino government "has the lead in resolving this."

Earlier in the day, the daughter of US national Guillermo Sobrero, one of those being held hostage by the guerrillas, called on President George W. Bush for help.

"I want President Bush to do something about this," Aimee Sobrero told ABC television.
"I know he can do it," she said, speaking from Cathedral City, California.

"We haven't heard from Guillermo at all. We don't even know if he is alive," said the hostage's brother, Alberto Sobrero, who added that his family had not been contacted by US authorities.

"We are worried. We haven't slept in three days," he said.

Another brother, Pablo Sobrero, on Tuesday was on his way to the Philippines via Puerto Rico, he said.

The captives include American Christian missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, longtime Philippine residents originally from Kansas.

"Please accept my sympathy in your hour of anxiety and grief," Macapagal said in a message addressed to the relatives of the hostages.

"We are doing everything in our power to rescue your loved ones."

The self-styled Islamic independence fighters beheaded two Filipino captives during another kidnapping spree in the south last year during which they held nearly a hundred captives at one point.

They also killed a hostage Roman Catholic priest during a military rescue attempt.

Last year's captives, held in Basilan and Jolo islands, included 21 western tourists seized from the Malaysian resort of Sipadan, school teachers and students from Basilan, and journalists who went to Jolo to cover the crisis.

Most of the foreigners were ransomed off for millions of dollars over four months, while the rest were freed after the military attacked their Jolo and Basilan bases. The gunmen still hold one Filipino captive from the Sipadan raid.

May 30, 2001, AFP, Local media to follow news blackout 'to a certain extent', 2:17 PM (Manila Time) by P. Parameswaran,

FEISTY Philippine media was coming to terms Wednesday with the news blackout imposed by President Macapagal-Arroyo on the offensive against Abu Sayyaf bandits holding three American and 17 Filipino hostages, editors said.

"I think we are just going to cooperate to a certain extent for the safety of the hostages but we are not going to be gagged," Letty Magsanoc, editor-in-chief of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, told Agence France-Presse.

Magsanoc of the Inquirer said her newspaper would "keep reporting what is happening -- good or bad" on the kidnap saga but its journalists would stay away from areas which the military had designated as dangerous.

She said the news blackout might be the first imposed on the Philippine media since the Martial Law days under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was ousted in 1986.

Other media entities largely agreed that the media clampdown on the military blitz against the Abu Sayyaf was not a curtailment of their freedom.

"Press freedom does not give reporters the right to get in the way of legitimate anti-crime operations," said the Today newspaper.

"Moreover, they cannot cross military boundaries and then denounce the government after they find their human-interest stories threatening their own lives," it said.

The Manila Standard newspaper said it "supported with not one iota of doubt or guilt the calls to still the voice of this bandit group."

"We will not be tools of a handful of megalomaniac pirates and highwaymen taking advantage of the freedom of the press that we hold dear," it said.

But Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), the only radio station used by the Abu Sayyaf so far on the hostage crisis, said it would continue to entertain calls from the guerrillas, whose whereabouts are still not certain.

"The position of our company is that we respect the news blackout in terms of military operations as the authorities have promised the media that there will be military briefings every day," RMN station manager Rey Bayoging said.

"But we will continue to make all our equipment available to the Abu Sayyaf if they want to go on air," he told AFP.

"The safety of the hostages is our main concern. But we will not be able to talk to the hostages and find out how they are doing if we don't talk to the Abu Sayyaf," he explained.

Last year, when the Abu Sayyaf abducted 21 mostly foreign hostages from Malaysia and brought them to their stronghold in the southern Philippines, local and foreign journalists scrambled to their lairs to report the drama.

Some managed to get exclusive interviews and pictures of the hostages and rebels but more than a dozen foreign and local journalists were themselves held captive by the group. Their satellite phones and other equipment were seized.

May 30, 2001, INQ7, MILF offers help in quelling Abu Sayyaf bandits, 9:17 AM (Manila Time)

THE MORO Islamic Liberation Front is offering its help in quelling the Muslim guerilla group Abu Sayyaf.

According to MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu, they will present a formal offer to the government on this matter when the government-MILF peace talks begin sometime in June. Kabalu said that they made a similar proposal to the government earlier, but that the Armed Forces of the Philippines turned down their offer of assistance saying that the operations against the bandits were already in place.

At the same time, Kabalu said they were condemning "in the strongest words" the Abu Sayyaf’s kidnappings and other criminal activities, which he said goes against the basic tenets of Islam.

He also cleared that this offer of assistance is not contingent on the bounty being offered by the government.

"We want to help in good faith not because of the P1 million reward," Kabalu said. "We want this resolved in the most peaceful manner possible."

The Macapagal government is offering P5 million for information leading to the capture or neutralization of Abu Sayyaf leaders, and P1 million for lesser ranking members of the group.

May 30, 2001, INQ7, Gov't not promoting vigilante groups: Tiglao, 10:01 AM (Manila Time)

PRESIDENTIAL spokesperson Rigoberto Tiglao today clarified that the Macapagal government is not promoting vigilantism following reports that the military plans to tap private armed groups to help crush the Abu Sayyaf.

He said that vigilantism is against the country’s laws, and that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police are the only ones authorized to take up arms. Any other armed group should be under the strict supervision of the military or the police, he said.

Tiglao added that the reward money being offered by the government is for information leading to the capture of the bandits. "It's not a reward for armed groups to go after the Abu Sayyaf," he said.

Yesterday AFP spokesman Edilberto Adan was quoted as saying that they are welcoming any group that can neutralize the Abu Sayyaf, noting that there were residents who had organized themselves into armed groups in the island-provinces of Sulu and Basilan where the Abu Sayyaf was known to operate.

May 30, 2001, AFP, Hostages’ personal effects recovered in remote island, 4:43 PM (Manila Time)

GOVERNMENT troops who searched a remote island in the central Philippines recovered personal items of some of the 20 hostages held by Abu Sayyaf Muslim rebels, a spokesman said Wednesday.

The troops "recovered an ATM (automated teller machine) card and an Olympus camera belonging to the hostages" in the Cagayan de Tawi Tawi island group in the Sulu Sea on Tuesday, Brigadier General Edilberto Adan told reporters.

Abu Sayyaf guerrillas seized 20 people, including three Americans, from the Dos Palmas resort off the western island of Palawan on Sunday. They are believed to be heading south toward their strongholds in the Sulu and Basilan island groups.

"They are somewhere in the vicinity of the Palawan waters going to Sulu," Adan said.

Authorities were checking reports that the hostage-takers had already landed in Jolo, the main island in the Sulu group, he added.

May 30, 2001, Philippine Star, AFP: Vigilantes vs Sayyaf welcome by Paolo Romero,

To win the war against the Abu Sayyaf Islamic fundamentalist group, the Arroyo administration is courting all the help it can get.

Embarrassed by an abduction carried out by the Abu Sayyaf on a Philippine resort, the military welcomed yesterday the participation of vigilantes or private armed groups in an all-out war against the bandits.

President Arroyo also said she may increase the P100- million bounty for the capture of Abu Sayyaf members.

This developed as the government imposed a news blackout on the military offensive against the Abu Sayyaf raiders who snatched 20 people from the upscale Dos Palmas resort at Honda Bay off Puerto Princesa City in Palawan at dawn last Sunday.

Meanwhile, a war of nerves broke out between the government and the kidnappers who threatened to execute all of their 20 hostages amid President Arroyo's warning that the Muslim extremist group would be destroyed if it did not release the captives.

The military doubted reports that the kidnappers, with their hostages in tow, have safely reached their strongholds in Basilan and Sulu.

"We welcome the assistance of (private) armed groups. We are not encouraging vigilantism, but if they could go after the Abu Sayyaf, which is a known enemy of the state, that is a welcome development. They will be rewarded," Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said.

A Malacanang source said the military will mobilize and deploy the militia Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Units to assist the troops in combating the Abu Sayyaf terrorists who style themselves as freedom fighters struggling for an independent Islamic state in Mindanao.

But Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said the government must not involve vigilantes in the drive against the Abu Sayyaf terrorists, saying it would only result in more bloodshed.

He said the government must try as much as possible to save the lives of the hostages.

Mrs. Arroyo set the pace for the news blackout by refusing to answer a reporter's questions about her reaction to Sabaya's threat.

"Please understand the sensitivity of the ongoing operations. It is important to employ secrecy to surprise the enemy," Mrs. Arroyo said.

She added that giving the bandits media attention only emboldens them. "That is the psychology of the terrorists...they want to have international acclaim," Mrs. Arroyo said.

She advised journalists against going to Basilan and Sulu provinces which are considered Abu Sayyaf strongholds.

The military also warned reporters covering the hostage drama to take extra precautions if they insist on traveling to Sulu or Basilan.

Mrs. Arroyo clarified that she has not ordered the military to ban journalists from traveling travel to the two island provinces, adding she was merely appealing to the media not to go to Basilan or Sulu "where a war is going on."

Mrs. Arroyo earlier directed the budget department to allocate P100 million as cash reward for the capture of the kidnappers.

She said she may even raise the bounty with her own money just to be sure that the Abu Sayyaf terrorists were annihilated.

She directed Armed Forces chief Gen. Diomedio Villanueva to put up military detachments in each island in Mindanao as defense posts against the bandits.

"We would not encourage you to go to Jolo at this time, but in case youâ€™ll be proceeding, please observe guidelines to ensure your safety," said Adan.

"We hope the incident last year will not be repeated because it adds to the problem," Adan said, referring to last yearâ€™s hostage crisis involving 21 mostly foreign hostages who were seized from the Malaysian resort island of Sipadan and brought to Jolo where a number of local and foreign journalists who covered the event were captured by the Abu Sayyaf and released upon payment of ransom.

All but one of the hostages were either freed or rescued.

"If we encounter the military and find out they are operating against us, we will kill all the hostages," Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya said in a satellite telephone interview with a Mindanao-based radio station.

Quoting reports of field commanders in Sulu and Basilan, Adan said there were no sightings of the bandits and their hostages in the two provinces, contrary to Sabayaâ€™s claim.

"We still believe they're somewhere in the areas from the tip of Palawan to the vicinity of Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi. They are reportedly having difficulty refueling in areas where they are not based," Adan said.

Adan indicated that air and sea search operations for the bandits and their hostages have not yielded positive results.

"Our mission is to rescue the hostages unharmed and to neutralize the kidnappers. The President has ordered us to finish them once and for all," Adan told reporters.

Basilan Rep. Abdulgani Salapuddin said the government should not negotiate with the Abu Sayyaf and vigorously push instead its all-out war against the extremist rebels.

Salapuddin, who was instrumental in the release of 18 high school students who were among a large group of pupils and teachers seized by the Abu Sayyaf from two schools in Basilan after a failed attack on military detachments, indicated that the bandits were only after money and had no political agenda.

Both the Moro National Liberation Front, which has signed a peace accord with the government, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is still waging a secessionist war in Mindanao, have volunteered to help track down the kidnappers.

Government still unsure where Sayyaf gunmen are

Military and police authorities remained unsure where the 20-member Abu Sayyaf band was holed up with its hostages.

Sulu police chief Superintendent Candido Casimiro, citing reports of their civilian informants, said the kidnappers and their captives were sighted in Barangay Sulud Goloba in Panglima Estino town in Sulu at about 10 a.m. yesterday.

Casimiro noted that their information contradicted Sabaya's claim that they have divided the hostages into two groups. One group was reportedly brought to Sulu by an Abu Sayyaf band led by Ghalib Andang alias Commander Robot and Mujib Susukan, while Sabaya's team herded the other group to Basilan.

Casimiro doubted Sabaya's pronouncements, saying he is an "incorrigible liar."

On the other hand, Lt. Gen. Gregorio Camiling, commander of the Armed Forces' Southern Command based in Zamboanga City, said the targets were possibly still holed up in Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi island (also known as Mapun) halfway between Puerto Princesa and Sulu, a 480-kilometer expanse of sea.

Camiling said verification by intelligence agents of the reported sighting in Panglima Estino yielded negative results.

"Based on information from our assets, there is no landing in Basilan and Sulu," Camiling said.

He said they are still trying to pinpoint the whereabouts of the kidnappers and the hostages. "There is no diversion of their movement based on our tracking," he said.

Police in Basilan reported that there has been no reported landing of the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers in the island where some 2,000 soldiers have been deployed to intercept the bandits.

A Marine brigade was also dispatched to Tawi-Tawi as a blocking force against the Abu Sayyaf rebels.

Camiling said he has requested for additional troops from Luzon who will be immediately flown to Mindanao if the Abu Sayyaf has been found.

For its part, the Philippine Coast Guard intensified its patrol along the countryâ€™s shorelines to prevent the kidnappers from making beachheads.

PCG Commandant Rear Adm. Ruben Lista dispatched the unitâ€™s fast patrol fleet to help the Air Force and the Navy in the search and rescue operations.

In another development, the United States government supported Mrs. Arroyoâ€™s no-ransom and no-negotiation policy against the Abu Sayyaf.

US Embassy spokesman Thomas Skipper said their own policy has been to deny any deals with terrorists and not pay any ransom for the release of hostages.

Skipper said talks may be held with the terrorists, but no concessions should be given by the government.

"There is a distinction between making deals and discussions. We are looking at the Philippine government to resolve this," he said. -- With reports from Marichu Villanueva, Roel Pareno, Efren Danao, Perseus Echeminada, Aurea Calica, Nestor Etolle, Sandy Araneta

May 30, 2001, Philippine Star, Military still in the dark on hostages by Paolo Romero,

Four days after a band of heavily armed Abu Sayyaf bandits staged an early morning raid on an upscale resort in Palawan and seized 20 people, three of them Americans, authorities were still in the dark regarding the whereabouts of the kidnappers and their hostages.

However, local police said the kidnappers and their captives have landed in the coastal town of Panglima Estino in Sulu, a report the military viewed with skepticism.

Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said they expect some positive developments soon, but did not elaborate.

Asked if they have already pinpointed the location of the kidnappers, Adan remained evasive: "The public will be informed in due time."

Adan hinted at the complexity of the search operations by saying they had to comb at least 34 islands around Basilan province and 37 around Sulu, both strongholds of the Muslim fundamentalist group in Mindanao.

"Any of these islands may be used as sanctuaries by these kidnappers, so we are looking for them there," Adan told reporters.

"It takes time... it takes manpower... it takes aircraft, ships to verify this. That's why we are calling on all citizens to help the government, to help the military and the police in providing information (about the whereabouts of the abductors and the captives)," he said.

He pointed out that the operations against the Abu Sayyaf may entail bloodshed. "This operation is not risk-free. There will be casualties, but we will avoid harm to the hostages."

He also revealed that Manila and Washington have opened talks on possible cooperation in the search and rescue operations for the hostages.

Adan said the military refused to believe the Abu Sayyaf's claim that they had divided the hostages into two groups of 10 people each and were taken separately to Basilan and Sulu.

Villagers have reported seeing the kidnappers and the hostages in Jolo, Sulu where the Abu Sayyaf enjoys mass support from the predominantly Muslim population. The reports have not been confirmed.

What appeared certain was that the hostages were taken to Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi, an isolated island midway between Palawan and Sulu which are separated by a 480-kilometer expanse of sea.

Pursuing troops have reportedly recovered in the island, also known as Mapun, an Olympus camera and an ATM (automated teller machine) card belonging to the hostages.

Senior Superintendent Akmad Omar, police director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, asserted that the kidnappers and hostages arrived at about 9 a.m. Monday aboard two speedboats in Panglima Estino town.

Omar said the captives were immediately herded to Sitio Gulangan Luppoh in Barangay Jinggan of the same town by the 24-strong bandits led by Hernafi Sahibul and Albadir Parad.

In his report to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Leandro Mendoza, Omar said elements of the local police have looked into the veracity of the report.

Jolo police director Chief Superintendent Candido Casimiro has also said local villagers have claimed having spotted the hostages in Sulu.

Adan said they were still checking the police reports. "We are not denying that they are in Jolo, but we are verifying the claim that they are in Jolo," he clarified.

"There are no indication that they are in Jolo or Basilan. They could be in some remote islands," he added.

Sayyaf escape boat conks out

Adan hinted at the possibility that the Abu Sayyaf bandits and their hostages were still holed out in the Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi island group by saying one of their speedboats stalled after running out of fuel.

This prompted them to hijack a fishing boat manned by five men, but two of them jumped overboard and reported the incident to authorities. The rest remained with the kidnappers.

The military spokesman also said a naval blockade on Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi, situated some 200 nautical miles southwest of Palawan, has not been lifted.

"Our forces are still operating in the area. There is a naval blockade there," Adan said.

He added that the troops were scouring over a hundred islets in the area.

At least nine military aircraft were mobilized for the search and rescue operations, with more attack helicopters and reconnaissance planes on standby in a military base in Palawan.

An Air Force officer said the pilots were under instructions to strictly observe the rules of engagement when the target has been sighted.

This means that when a suspected seacraft is seen, the plane would make a fly-by. If the vessel reacts in a hostile manner, it should be disabled.

The source said in the Abu Sayyaf case, a special rule may be adopted because of the presence of the kidnap victims.

He revealed that the pilots were instructed by a top officer of the Armed Forces' Southern Command to fire at the enemy on sight.

Meanwhile, Vice President and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teofisto Guingona Jr. said he would ask foreign embassies to dissuade their journalists from going to Mindanao or Palawan to cover the hostage drama.

"We have to learn from experience. The media people, with all their good intentions, become the victims of these bandits, who are emboldened by the publicity they are getting," Guingona said.

The Abu Sayyaf also rounded up 21 mostly foreign guests from a diving resort in Sipadan island in Malaysia during an Easter Sunday raid last year.

The victims were taken by boat across the sea border to Jolo, Sulu where local and foreign journalists covering the event were also captured and released upon payment of ransom.

For its part, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) urged its member-networks to avoid allowing themselves to be used for propaganda by the Abu Sayyaf.

In a circular signed by KBP chairman Joselito Yabut, the radio and television networks were also asked to reject live on-air interviews with leaders of the bandits "when dictated by responsible journalism."

"Invitations for on-site coverage by armed extremist groups should be turned down, except then the government is a participant in the event.

Responding to the KBP's call, a Zamboanga radio station which had aired interviews with the Abu Sayyaf said it would no longer take calls from the bandits.

In another development, relatives of the Filipino hostages have given the government the go-signal to conduct a military assault against the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers.

Adan said the victims' families met with top military officials Tuesday afternoon at Camp Aguinaldo where they expressed support for the Arroyo's administration's hardline stance against the terrorists.

"They trust the government on what to do to effect the rescue of their relatives," Adan said.

Also present during the closed-door meeting were Justice Secretary Hernando Perez, Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon and representatives from the health and social welfare and development departments.

Perez said the victims' relatives also vowed not to pay any ransom to the kidnappers.

Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. ordered all local government units nationwide to strengthen implementation of the integrated security plans in their respective localities.

Lina said the scheme was the best deterrent against crime, particularly kidnapping.

"The Pearl Farm and Dos Palmas incidents should serve as a warning to all of us that we may have overlooked certain loopholes in our security plans, so we should do something about them," Lina said. --Christina Mendez, Aurea Calica, Rey Arquiza, Perseus Echeminada, Roel Pareno, Edith Regalado.

May 30, 2001, Philippine Star, MILF also ready to hunt down Sayyaf, by John Unson,

COTABATO CITY -- The separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said yesterday it is willing to help the government track down Abu Sayyaf bandits who kidnapped 20 people from an island resort in Palawan.

"We wish to emphasize we will do it not for the reward but to enhance the cordiality of the GRP-MILF peace talks," said MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar.

The MILF made the offer as troops from the Armyâ€™s 6th Infantry Division based here stepped up efforts to enlist the help of local Muslim and Christian religious communities in tracking down Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Army division spokesman Maj. Julieto Ando said plainclothesmen have also been fielded in the South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos (Socsargen) area to capture Abu Sayyaf bandits who have incurred the ire of residents.

Jaafar said several Abu Sayyaf bandits have already been sentenced to death by MILF Shariâ€™a courts in Basilan and Zamboanga because of their criminal offenses.

Although the MILF was a splinter group of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), MILF members are mainly ethnic Maguindanao who care little for Tausugs.

Most members of the Abu Sayyaf are Tausug and are children of former guerrillas of the MNLF, which forged a peace pact with the government in September 1996 after more than 30 years of rebellion.

Even Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) confirmed that bandit leaders close to Abu Sayyaf leader Khadafy Janjalani are either younger siblings or children of former MNLF members.

"So there is no reason for Misuari to say he cannot do anything about the problem created by the Abu Sayyaf. If he is serious in working out the attainment of lasting peace in Mindanao, he should do something," said the source, a key official of the ARMM.

May 30, 2001, The Philippine Star, Vigilantes must coordinate with AFP, PNP,

Authorities clarified yesterday they are not encouraging vigilantism, and that any group planning to pursue the Abu Sayyaf will have to coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

This developed as the military began roping in armed groups lured by a P100-million bounty to track down Abu Sayyaf bandits holding 20 hostages seized from a Palawan resort at dawn last Sunday.

In a radio interview, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said coordination was necessary to ensure proper supervision of armed civilian groups and to avoid accidental clashes with go-vernment forces.

Malacanang clarified yesterday that there was never any mention of vigilantes in connection with the military's rescue operations.

"General Adan never used the word "vigilantes." What he said was that the military will not stop law-abiding citizens with properly authorized firearms from making a citizen's arrest. We would like to clarify that this administration does not condone or encourage vigilantism," Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said.

Tiglao explained that the actual intent of Adan's message was to encourage citizens to provide authorities with information leading to the arrest of the kidnappers.

Adan admitted that there are many private armed groups that can assist in going after the Abu Sayyaf.

"If they see an opportunity and they want to make a go for it, the government will not stop them," he said.

Adan pointed out that a person need only provide information leading to the capture to Abu Sayyaf members to collect the reward.

"They do not need to physically bring them in," he said.

Among the various private armed groups in Mindanao are former separatist rebels of the Moro National Liberation Front, which signed a peace agreement with the government in 1996.

"They are not enemies of the government. We know they exist and they do not fight the government. They are not rebels, and this is their chance to prove themselves," Adan said without giving specifics.

Also carrying potent numbers are the armed followers of political warlords.

MalacaÃ±ang earlier said the Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU), a militia group under the operational control of the AFP, has been mobilized and deployed to assist government troops.

The PNP said yesterday it will never allow armed civilian groups to interfere with its law-enforcement functions.

Reacting to the decision of the AFP to allow participation of armed groups, PNP chief Director General Leandro Mendoza said the police organization is capable of handling the crisis.

"Vigilante groups have no authority to take the law into their own hands," he said.

His views were shared by most Camp Crame-based officials, who are disappointed that the AFP had been designated as the lead agency in the hostage rescue operations.

"If given a chance, the PNP can handle this," said one official. "We have trained officers at our disposal who can negotiate or respond to terrorist activities."

DOJ chief opposes use of vigilantes

Justice Secretary Hernando Perez expressed opposition to the use of vigilantes, saying he prefers the use of government peace officers.

"Personally, I am not in favor of vigilantes. Tapping their services is an indication that our peace officers cannot accomplish a mission by themselves. But of course, if they are deputized, then that is a different matter," he said.

Former President Fidel Ramos said yesterday he was not in favor of the use of vigilantes in government operations against the Abu Sayyaf.

"Vigilantes are a double-edged weapon because they are not subject to the Articles of War and the disciplinary rules of the AFP," said Ramos, a former military chief of staff and defense secretary.

However, the former president was in favor of tapping the services of the Civilian Home Defense Forces (CHDF), an extension of the reserve forces.

"CHDF units are already established in Sulu and Basilan. By all means, they should be utilized," he said.

Meanwhile, a Church-based human rights organization warned Mrs. Arroyo against using civilians as pawns in pursuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf.

The Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace (EMJP) said that while it approves of the government's call to wipe out the bandits, they are adverse to the plan to use civilians as support personnel.

"This will lead to the rise in vigilantism and formation of paramilitary groups that could terrorize communities in the countryside," EMJP secretary general Dani Beltran said. -- Marichu Villanueva, Jaime Laude, Rey Arquiza, Sandy Araneta.

May 30, 2001, Philippine Star, Cops, kidnappers or private armies, by Jarius Bondoc,

Okay, so you're driving down a city street when you see armed men up ahead. What's your first instinct? You spin into a tight U-turn and speed away, right?

But what if the armed men flag you down, what do you do? You drive away even faster, of course.

And what if the armed men are in police uniform? Then you drive off triple, quadruple, quintuple faster.

It doesn't need those ever-reliable SWS or Pulse Asia pollsters to chart the natural civilian reactions. The PNP should simply take these into account when it reviews its rules of engagement in the wake of the killing of two more civilians during a dragnet on kidnappers in Quezon City two weeks back.

To be sure, civilians know they can never be sure if armed men blocking a road are friendly forces or foe. Even if the men are in uniform, civilians will only think they're about to fall victim to one violent racket or another. Far too many instances validate it.

Consider a story that's been going around the Net: Last January 30, a couple was driving home along South Luzon Expressway in their 4-by-4 when the wife noted a traffic buildup. She glanced at her watch: 8:45 p.m. Suddenly, an unlighted car cut their path from the left and braked. Nine armed men in military garb knocked on their windows and roof to open the door. The husband tried to veer left, but a bus was blocking the way. Cars on the right screeched off in the opposite direction. The husband saw no choice but to open the door, whereupon one of the armed men pulled him by the neck to the rear of their van which was stacked with groceries they'd just bought. Another took the wheel and they drove on in convoy. The men blindfolded, gagged and hogtied him with packing tape as they asked the wife for their cash, jewelry and cellphones. The wife choked back tears and whispered to her husband to not think of anything but pray. After 30 minutes when traffic was lighter, the men stopped and moved the groceries to their back-up car. They spotted another van and decided it was their next victim. They chased it with the first couple still in the back, but soon decided the van had too many passengers and was well lighted. They exited at Sta. Rosa, where the men cursed upon noticing they had lost their cellphone and the backup. They waited on the shoulder for an hour, until the men told the couple to lie still while they got some snacks. They don't know how much time passed, but when it became apparent the men weren't coming back, the wife untied her husband and they went home thanking God that was all that happened.

Police deny that armed, uniformed robbers ply the highway, despite many other accounts -- including from victim-relatives of writers of The STAR. But a favorite theory is that those men are either police or military rookies, and the the modus operandi is part of their training. Only two years ago, a high PNP officer denounced the Army Scout Rangers for including bank robbery as a subject, along with such legitimate courses as bomb disposal and night combat. The Army claims to have scrapped it since. But it's such reports that make civilians all the more wary.

The killing of a hotel supervisor and a teenage family friend, and the serious wounding of his daughter by PNP intelligence operatives 12 nights ago highlights all the more the dangers civilians are in for. The agents were staking out a ransom dropoff for a kidnapped judge's son. Fernando Lozada happened to drive by, saw the armed men in civvies, and drove back onto on-coming traffic. Thinking it was the kidnappers' getaway car, the men fired at Lozada, hitting him in the nape. The car jumped onto the sidewalk and crashed into a lamppost. The agents continued firing at the car until they ran out of bullets.

The agents said it was all Lozada's fault. Had he stopped, they would have found out he was just at the wrong place at the wrong time, yet live to tell it. It was dark, he fled, they fired, the officers pleaded while conveniently skipping the part about emptying their magazines on a stopped car.

It wasn't the first time. At the height of a police-military operation to arrest a suspected drug lord in nearby Talayan Village two years ago, a neighbor in the exclusive subdivision also happened to drive by. Soldiers fired at the car, wounding the neighbor and a nephew but killing his toddler-daughter. That incident was one too many. It should've prompted authorities to review their rules of engagement, radio communications, countersigns and road blockades. But they didn't.

And even with such improved rules, civilians are not likely to just stop at any police roadblock. Not with policemen themselves being exposed as involved in criminal rackets. Still fresh in people's minds is how famous publicist Bubby Dacer was kidnapped in broad daylight also on the South Expressway in Manila -- by men in police T-shirts in two vans. The NBI has found the burnt remains of Dacer and his loyal driver, but have yet to arrest the police officers whom civilian cohorts tagged as the masterminds.

There have been countless other reports, perhaps not as sensational but which have stuck in civilian minds just the same. There's this politician whose car was stopped at a police checkpoint in a farm road, there to be shot dead by his archrival for governor. There's this couple who were robbed and killed by armed men, reportedly soldiers, while transporting fish from Pangasinan to Manila. How many victims had been kidnapped by men in official attire? Practically every town or barrio has its tale of horror and sorrow to tell.

The point is for authorities to consider natural civilian reaction to the sight of armed men, uniformed or not, instead of insisting that they just stop. More so since authorities can't even control the use of uniforms. Weren't the bandits who raided Pearl Farm in Davao and the Abu Sayyaf terrorists who kidnapped 20 guests from Dos Palmas Resort in Palawan last year in military camouflage?

There are far too many kidnap gangs (32 as of last police estimate) and private armies (99 by military reckoning) for civilians to drive easy on dangerous streets. Seeing uniformed men doesn't instinctively make them think that soldiers and policemen are on patrol to protect them. In fact, they think those uniformed men are on the other side.

May 30, 2001, Philippine Star, In crisis, Gloria turns to San Miguel, by Marichu Villanueva,

She may not be a fanatic of the Ginebra San Miguel basketball team nor a habitual guzzler of gin bilog, but President Arroyo has turned to St. Michael as her refuge and guide in trying times.

St. Michael, the archangel depicted as brandishing his sword to slay the evil snake, is the President's answer to the Abu Sayyaf, "the bearer of the sword" which recently snatched 20 people in Palawan.

Mrs. Arroyo revealed her latest protector during a special feature aired by GMA-7â€™s "I-Witness" TV program late Monday night.

The archangel is the patron saint of the nearby San Miguel Church on J. P. Laurel street located a few meters away from the official presidential residence at MalacaÃ±ang.

St. Michael's statue, showing him in the act of slaying the snake with his sword, stands in front of the church reminiscent of those gin bottles.

"He has armor protection and looks like a soldier, but he looks more like a knight," Mrs. Arroyo noted.

Mrs. Arroyo, who resided in the Palace as the teenage daughter of former President Diosdado Macapagal in 1961-1965, recalled that she used to go daily to St. Jude Church, also located nearby.

St. Jude, regarded as the patron saint of the desperate, is said to grant wishes to those who seek his intercession.

Although these two churches are literally a stone's throw away from MalacaÃ±ang, the President attends a daily 8 a.m. Mass at a room-converted-chapel in the main Palace lobby.

Every time she has to make difficult decisions, Mrs. Arroyo said she prays long and hard for God's enlightenment.

"And this is what I prayed for so I know what I'm doing. Though I get criticisms, these are hard decision I have to make. But once I prayed for a decision and decided, I must be ready to accept the consequences of my decision," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo said she doesn't pray just to make wishes come true. "I don't wish because if that is what God gave me, then I will accept it."

And though she attends religiously to her spiritual needs, she said she considers it a "duty" to her health her playing golf on Sundays, and even sneaking in an occasional movie with her family at Robinsons' Mall in Ermita.

May 30, 2001, Philippine Star, Editorial - This time, finish them off,

See what ransom payments can do. The Abu Sayyaf's Sipadan caper last year was the most successful kidnapping case in this country, earning for its perpetrators a whopping $20 million. The Estrada administration talked tough, vowed there would be no ransom and sent in troops, but later admitted that ransom had indeed been paid, in greenbacks at that. There were persistent reports that top government officials skimmed off $10 million from the ransom payments, but that still left the Islamic extremists another $10 million -- enough to increase their firepower and recruit more guerrillas.

How can anyone abandon an undertaking that can net over a billion pesos in just three months, plus all the publicity you want? The Sipadan caper turned ransom kidnapping into big business, making it the most lucrative enterprise in the underdeveloped provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. Abu Sayyaf morale was boosted by the government's failure to capture the group's top commanders or recover the loot, despite a much-hyped full-scale military offensive last year that supposedly included a naval blockade of Sulu. Another offensive was launched last month after Abu Sayyaf bandits threatened to behead their last foreign captive, American Jeffrey Schilling. The offensive ended, however, after Schilling was rescued.

The bandits were surely also emboldened by the government's lackadaisical response to the raid last week on another upscale resort, Pearl Farm on Samal Island. That should have alerted the government to tighten security around other popular tourist destinations. But the Abu Sayyaf easily raided the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan, then managed to make the long boat ride back to Basilan and Sulu without being stopped by military patrols. Where were the Navy and the Coast Guard? Where were the Air Force helicopter gunships? The getaway was so successful that until yesterday, the military still wasn't sure where the hostages had been taken.

Guerrilla warfare is always difficult -- just ask the troops who fought the communists in Vietnam. The Abu Sayyaf, however, is not the Viet Cong, and these Philippine bandits have command not of half the country but only of the hinterlands of Basilan and Sulu. Now another military offensive has been launched. Let's hope this time the terrorists will finally be finished off. At the very least, Abu Sabaya, Khadaffi Janjalani, Ghalib Andang, Mujib Susukan -- all the characters who have become household names due to their notoriety -- should be neutralized.

May 30, 2001, Philippine Star, Gordon rejects "kidnap capital" tag for RP as tourists flee,

ARRECIFFE ISLAND, Palawan -- Birds chirped from palm trees, fish splashed under an alluring blue sky and the Dos Palmas resort had never been safer.

Despite the idyllic setting, few took time to enjoy it. Instead, the people who came to the tiny island for a getaway were doing just that -- getting away as fast as possible by boat and helicopter. The bolstered security presence just served as a reminder that some of their fellow holiday-makers were now hostages.

Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon rejected reports the country has failed to shed an image as a haven for kidnappers following the abduction of 20 people from Dos Palmas resort at dawn last Sunday.

The raid by the Abu Sayyaf Muslim rebel group on the Dos Palmas resort was unfortunate "but this does not make us the kidnap capital of the world," he said.

"It is unfair to say that we are a kidnap capital. If we do that we are practically rewarding the Abu Sayyaf," Gordon told AFP.

He said more investment should be poured into the tourism sector, which has been battered by image problems amid political uncertainty leading to the ouster of President Joseph Estrada in January and street riots in May.

"But overall, Palawan is safe. Other tourism areas are safe," Gordon said.

At the same time, Gordon said he is seeking at least $15 million (P750 million) to promote the Philippines and erase its negative image in the international community in the wake of Sunday's kidnapping.

Speaking before the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Dusit Hotel Nikko in Makati City yesterday, Gordon admitted that the local tourism industry would need one to two years to recover from the negative effects of the Palawan kidnapping. However, he expressed confidence that the country would eventually recover.

"We fell down. We got hurt, but we will be able to get up," he said. "It will take time, but weâ€™ll get back."

The military has launched a massive operation to rescue the hostages and capture the rebels, with President Arroyo offering a P100-million bounty on the Abu Sayyaf leaders.

The hostages, who include three Americans, are believed to have been split into two groups and taken to the Abu Sayyaf island strongholds of Basilan and Sulu.

Tourism operators said yesterday that the shock of the Dos Palmas kidnapping has rippled nationwide and heralds a tough year.

"This should be the height of the holiday season and the repercussions are very serious," said Marilen Yeptangco, president of Baron Travel, one of the country's largest travel agencies. "We have had 100 percent cancellations or rerouting for Palawan. Many Filipinos are even rebooking their domestic vacations to go to foreign destinations like Hong Kong."

Yeptangco, speaking on behalf of the Philippine Travel Agencies' Association, said the industry already speaks of "post-Palawan and pre-Palawan" when talking about business plans.

The association, which includes agents, airlines, resorts and hotels, held an impromptu Mass on Tuesday night to pray for the safe release of the hostages.

The US Embassy in Manila issued a travel warning for the southern Philippines on Monday. The Philippine government worked on damage control, calling the raid an isolated incident and assuring tourists the country was still safe.

The Abu Sayyaf group, which turned kidnapping of foreigners into a lucrative cottage industry, vowed Tuesday to kill all the hostages if the military attempts a rescue.

The statement from Abu Sabaya, one of the groupâ€™s leaders, heightened concern for the hostages. Abu Sayyaf has killed captives in the past, including two teachers who were slain last year after the government declared war on the group.

In April last year, the Abu Sayyaf raided the Malaysian island resort of Sipadan and abducted 10 foreign tourists and 11 resort workers. It later kidnapped several journalists covering the incident and other people in a series of high-profile incidents. Most were released, reportedly for multimillion-dollar ransoms.

In the month after last year's hostage-taking, the government said tourism operators lost $1.2 million. The losses stretched throughout the year.

Last year, Vietnam, with 2.2 million visitors and relatively little tourism infrastructure, overtook the Philippines, with 2.1 million, in the regionâ€™s tourism rankings for the first time.

Tourism hadn't fully recovered, particularly with the unrest and uncertainty from a popular uprising in January that ousted the president and a bloody attempt to storm the presidential palace four weeks ago, when the latest blow came Sunday.

The government announced it will review security on island resorts. President Arroyo promised "bullets will rain" on the abductors unless they release their hostages.

Mrs. Arroyo also offered P100 million in rewards for information leading to the arrest of the kidnappers and leaders of the Abu Sayyaf guerrilla group.

Gordon, who has repeatedly told foreigners that his country is safe to visit, said the reward could prove a far more important investment than the P33 million his department spent on promoting tourism last year. The promotion budget resulted in tourism receipts of P2.5 billion, he said.â€“ Marianne Go.

May 30, 2001, Philippine Star, Estrada calls for unity to end hostage crisis,

Ousted President Joseph Estrada called on Filipinos yesterday to support police efforts to rescue 20 foreign and local hostages seized by Abu Sayyaf bandits from the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan last Sunday.

"Let us not forget that our primary objective is for the safe and immediate release of the hostages, whether Filipino or foreigner," Estrada said in a statement.

He said Filipinos should "rise above political bickering" and unite to support police authorities to "hasten the resolution" of the kidnapping.

"What is at stake here are people's lives and the reputation of our country in the eyes of the global community," the ousted leader said. "I appeal to our countrymen, especially media, to exert the needed restraint and cooperation to allow unhampered rescue operation."

However, Estrada said the circumstances of the Dos Palmas kidnapping were different from the "multi-nationality and culture" of the 21 mostly foreign tourists seized from a resort in Sipadan island off Sabah in April last year.

"It may require a different solution, Monday morning quarterbacking will not save the lives of the hostages," he said, likening critics of the government approach to post-game, armchair analysis of American football weekend matches. "This is not a basketball game nor a political propaganda campaign."

Last year, Armed Forces chief Gen. Angelo Reyes said the Abu Sayyaf raked in some P245 million in just three months from the "board and lodging" of dozens of Filipino and foreign hostages.

Ransom payments were reportedly made despite the Estrada administration's insistence that no money changed hands when the hostages were released.

Reyes reported to Estrada that the Abu Sayyaf may have used the money to buy more firearms.

Libya was said to have paid $1 million in ransom for each of the five hostages that were later released to a representative of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi on Aug. 27 last year.

Earlier, two suspected Abu Sayyaf couriers were arrested after agents of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force caught them trying to exchange into pesos $240,000 in a government bank in Zamboanga City.

The two were later freed on bail after charges were filed against them in court, but police kept the $240,000 as evidence.

On July 25 last year, the Abu Sayyaf demanded P10 million for the release of two ABS-CBN journalists, whom they abducted after the two went to the bandits' mountain lair and tried to interview their leaders.

Later, the two were released, but ABS-CBN management denied having paid any ransom.

At the height of last yearâ€™s hostages crisis, then Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora said the government was helpless in preventing the payment of ransom to the Abu Sayyaf.

Sammy Malunes, Kilusang Mayo Uno spokesman, said yesterday the Dos Palmas kidnapping could be a "diversionary tactic" to delay Estrada's trial at the Sandiganbayan.

"The deposed President and his most trusted cohorts are not new to these dirty tricks," he said. "It is public knowledge that the terrorist group was trained by the government."

Malunes said the Arroyo administration should investigate the possibility that certain allies of Estrada might have masterminded the kidnapping and unleashed the Abu Sayyaf for a terrorist operation.

Some politicians closely associated with Estrada might be behind the Dos Palmas kidnapping last Sunday to recoup millions of pesos spent in the last elections, he added. - Sandy Araneta

May 30, 2001, Philippine Star, Father, son cultists face rape raps,

A father and son team, said to be cult leaders, are now facing rape charges for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old girl repeatedly in Malabon City.

No bail was recommended by the City Prosecutorâs Office for Ely Lovedorial, 46, and his son Joel, 20, both jobless of Sitio 6, Catmon, Malabon. They are now detained at the Malabon Jail.

Investigations showed that the Lovedorials have been sexually abusing the girl, of Letre Road, Tonsuya, Malabon, since she joined the cult in April.

Investigator PO2 Peter Rios said that the girl revealed her ordeal to her mother after one of their cult members, a 10-year-old girl, went missing early this month.

Accompanied by her mother, the victim reported the incidents of sex abuse to the police and the Lovedorials were arrested over the weekend.

Rios said the victim was raped by the suspects after their daily worship sessions at the Catmon Elementary School and when the other cult members had gone home.

Investigation revealed the cult has around 10 members, all young girls, who lived in different barangays in Malabon. They were recruited by youngsters from Sitio 6, Rios said. -- Nikko Dizon

May 30, 2001, Philippine Star, Libis homeowners oppose Opus Dei school by Matthew Estabillo,

May 30, 2001, Philippine Star, 9 NPA rebels killed in Tarlac encounter by Benjie Villa,

StevenWarRan Research

Thursday, September 6, 2012

May 30 2001: Dos Palmas

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