No govt sanction on talks for release of ABS-CBN crew

MANILA, Philippines - Defense and military officials on Thursday said ongoing negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf for the release of broadcast journalist Cecilia Victoria "Ces" Oreña-Drilon and four others are not sanctioned by the government. In an interview, Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr said he was not aware of any negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf that was given the go-signal by the government, including that for the safe release of the four Abu Sayyaf hostages. Aside from Drilon, the Abu Sayyaf are holding captive cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama, and university professor Octavio Dinampo. "No, no, I do not know of any sanctioned negotiations with any abductors for that matter," Teodoro said when asked if negotiations for the safe release of the ABS-CBN crew and the Mindanao professor was sanctioned by government. Teodoro maintained the government's policy not to negotiate with terrorists. He noted that the Philippine National Police continues to take a lead role in efforts to secure the group. "That's a police matter, we're just supporting the police on that matter," Teodoro said. For his part, Armed Forces chief General Alexander Yano echoed this position, saying negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf has not been an option for the military in its efforts to locate and secure the hostages. "We have a no-negotiation policy with terrorists particularly the Abu Sayyaf, so that has never been an option for the AFP... We can talk to local officials but not the terrorists," Yano said. When asked about knowledge on the P10-million ransom demand for the group's release, Yano said: "I'm not aware of any such demands. We know there is a no-ransom policy of the government and we are not not aware of any such move." However, the military chief said there were indications that the hostages are alive. "I'd rather not go into the details. Suffice to say there is proof of life," Yano said. While Yano declined to give details on the hostages' whereabouts, he said the military has "some knowledge about it (hostages' location) but again we will continue to keep it under wraps." When asked to confirm whether the hostages were transferred from Maimbung, Sulu to Talipao town also in the province, Yano declined to answer but said if reports of the transfer is true, it would be another "proof of life." Earlier in the day, Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao, regional police commander in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said there are efforts to negotiate with the kidnappers for the release of the hostages. "There are options here and one if to locate the hostages and negotiate for their safe release," Goltiao said. He said the police are closely coordinating with Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan, the head of the local Crisis Management Committee, in resolving the problem peacefully. "Governor Sakur Tan and the crisis committee are working hard to resolve this problem," Goltiao said. Police have tagged Gafur Jumdail and Albader Parad, a young, but notorious Abu Sayyaf leader who is wanted both by Washington and Manila for terrorism and killings, as behind the kidnappings. "As far as we know, Parad and Gafur are behind the kidnappings," Goltiao said. - GMANews.TV